I have been looking at this picture

runningboar

runningboar

Joined
May 27, 2006
Messages
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and can't figure out what kind of snake it is, I thought it was just an ordinary water snake but I am not too sure anymore. Anybody know what kind it is.

Picture878.jpg


RescueRiley asked what it was when I first posted it but after looking at the this thread http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484797 I am not too sure.
 
it's gonna sound crazy but the patten almost reminds me of some type of tropical constrictor....maybe a pet that got loose or someone got bored of....
 
some one posted a pic. of a copperhead that they killed the other day, this looks like the same
looks like DALEW and I were posting at the same time
 
I don't think its a copperhead. I was thinking it looked more like a rat snake, but it's really hard to tell. It's does seem to have the more heavy bodied look of a boa constrictor or the copperhead, but the markings don't look quite right for a copperhead in my very humble and inexpert opinion.
 
I don't think it is a copperhead just by looking at this picture. The head does not look big enough. Remember pit vipers have large triangular heads in relation to their bodies. Just my opinion though .
 
Water Moccasin / Cottonmouth

The rough edges and irregularity of the pattern are pretty much telltale. Copperheads have smoother, more even edge to the pattern and the pattern is usually much more uniform and symmetrical - sometimes described as banded.


Copperheads don't bother me much, cottonmouths get a wide berth...
 
This snake has a pretty defined "horseshoe" shape on its back. The Nose patch is pretty distinctive as well. patterned snakes like this can have a lot of variety as far as coloration and patterns making it nearly impossible to identify accurately. Do you have any other pictures of this guy? Resembles this diamond backed water snake.
AUT_0324.jpg
 
I also was leaning more towards the cottonmouth, I was trying to find one to take a picture of and I think I succeeded. They are not nearly as common here as they are in my native GA but there are enough around to make you look where you put your hands around the creek. ;) Chris
 
runningboar said:
I also was leaning more towards the cottonmouth, I was trying to find one to take a picture of and I think I succeeded. They are not nearly as common here as they are in my native GA but there are enough around to make you look where you put your hands around the creek. ;) Chris
Click to expand...
Based on the coloration I'd say cottonmouth/Water moccasin. Same snake. Color can vary based on sex, age, etc.
 
I don't have anymore pics, that one is the only one I took of this particular snake. It's head looks a little broad to be a common water snake I was thinking and it's body is a little thick. I don't mind snakes and as a general rule don't kill them but I don't muck around with them either. Chris
 
Question for you snake experts out there......When I was stationed in Georgia in the army we had these very aggressive snakes that were all black, with mouths that were pure white. I was told these were water moccasin's or cottonmouth's. They are poisonous I know that much. Damn things would come after you if they saw you. Especially if you were in the water swimming or in a boat. Seeing these pics that others are claiming are water moccasin's and look like rattler snakes puzzles me. Anybody know?
 
Cottonmouths are very aggressive and range in color from black to slate grey to light with fairly bright markings like the one in my pic. Those thick bodied, dark colored, aggressive snakes you saw in GA were, with out a doubt water moccasins. I was stationed at Ft Stewart for 4 years, the gators never have bothered me, well maybe a time or two :o, but the cottonmouths always made a bit edgy. Chris
 
Both Rattlesnakes and Moccasins are from the family Viperidae. And the same sub family Crotalinae.

Rattlers are the genus Crotalus. Moccasins are Agkistrodon. So colorations and general appearance can be very similar.

Watersnakes will avoid you. Cottonmouths will hiss and get aggro.
 
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