Snake ID please, fox snake?

bulrush · 05-10-2008, 12:15 PM

Hi,
I live in western lower Michigan in Kent County. Found this guy in a park today. Could someone ID it?

It sure isn't a garter snake, and the markings don't look right for a corn or milk snake. How about a fox snake?

Notice how narrow the head is. A Northern water snake has a more arrow-shaped head and different markings.

Tori · 05-10-2008, 01:40 PM

I'm reasonably sure that it is a northern water snake. The markings are identical and the head varies a bit. Your's head still has a bit of the arrow shape if you look close. I've seen garters that didn't look like garters because of their thickness or the shape of the head looked wrong, but they were still garters (even without the stripe and being overweight). Anyone else have an opinion?
nerodia sipedon - Live Search Images

Sid · 05-10-2008, 03:05 PM

Definitely a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). They will vary somewhat in marking and color.

enigma200316 · 05-10-2008, 05:26 PM

yes Northern water snake (nerodia sipedon) not all look exactly alike there are veriations............

enigma200316 · 05-10-2008, 05:27 PM

sry very nice photo to by the way................

Zephyr · 05-10-2008, 06:08 PM

I once found one of these guys that was red-brown with a black head. They do vary a lot.

drache · 05-10-2008, 06:39 PM

really nice photo

adamanteus · 05-11-2008, 03:29 AM

Yeah, Nerodia sipedon. Nice.

anji1971 · 05-11-2008, 07:36 AM

Nice pic!!

I used to see those guys up north all the time when I was a kid. Haven't seen any around here yet, but I must admit I haven't actually been looking either.

bulrush · 05-12-2008, 06:14 AM

Thanks everyone. Shortly after I posted this I did a search and found a water snake that looked just like this. Several years ago I did look for photos of water snakes, and found pics of the norther water snake that had a VERY arrow-shaped head, like a rattler, it was black with mostly even dark gray triangles. I saw snakes matching those photos in a park.

But, I believe you, it must be a northern water snake. These guys move MUCH fastser on land than a garter. As soon as we spot them, BOOM!, they are gone.

This one was apparently sleeping on a bush, so we ran home, got a net, returned and he was still asleep. I tried to catch him in the net but he escaped. He fell in the water and we never saw him again.

05-10-2008, 12:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
bulrush "Preparing For First shed" Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 73 Country:	Snake ID please, fox snake? Hi, I live in western lower Michigan in Kent County. Found this guy in a park today. Could someone ID it? It sure isn't a garter snake, and the markings don't look right for a corn or milk snake. How about a fox snake? Notice how narrow the head is. A Northern water snake has a more arrow-shaped head and different markings. __________________ "Oh, bother," said Pooh. And he imploded. I am the mighty Milquetoast! Prepare to be inconvenienced.

05-10-2008, 01:40 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tori Juvenile snake Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Holland, Michigan Posts: 181 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? I'm reasonably sure that it is a northern water snake. The markings are identical and the head varies a bit. Your's head still has a bit of the arrow shape if you look close. I've seen garters that didn't look like garters because of their thickness or the shape of the head looked wrong, but they were still garters (even without the stripe and being overweight). Anyone else have an opinion? nerodia sipedon - Live Search Images __________________ Tori Remember: Marriage is the number one cause of divorce.

05-10-2008, 03:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
Sid Thamnophis Addict Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1,360 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? Definitely a Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). They will vary somewhat in marking and color. __________________ Sid 7.6T. s sirtalis- Eastern Garter 1.0 T. s concinnus- Oregon Red-spotted 1.1 T. e vagrans- Wandering Garter

05-10-2008, 05:26 PM	#4 (permalink)
enigma200316 Basilisk (The King of all Serpents) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern, US Posts: 1,740 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? yes Northern water snake (nerodia sipedon) not all look exactly alike there are veriations............ __________________ "Can't wait for World Meeting 2009" Justin... 0.0.1 parietalis 0.1.3 similis

05-10-2008, 05:27 PM	#5 (permalink)
enigma200316 Basilisk (The King of all Serpents) Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Eastern, US Posts: 1,740 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? sry very nice photo to by the way................ __________________ "Can't wait for World Meeting 2009" Justin... 0.0.1 parietalis 0.1.3 similis

05-10-2008, 06:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
Zephyr "Preparing For Fourth shed" Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 746 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? I once found one of these guys that was red-brown with a black head. They do vary a lot.

05-10-2008, 06:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
drache Ophiuchus rhea Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Brooklyn, New York Posts: 3,426 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? really nice photo __________________ rhea "Life is just one damn thing after another" - Mark Twain this place is one damn beautiful snake after another - me

05-11-2008, 03:29 AM	#8 (permalink)
adamanteus Moderator Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cheshire. (Near Manchester). Posts: 6,690 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? Yeah, Nerodia sipedon. Nice. __________________ James.

05-11-2008, 07:36 AM	#9 (permalink)
anji1971 Finder of unique Garters Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Windsor, Ontario Posts: 1,703 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? Nice pic!! I used to see those guys up north all the time when I was a kid. Haven't seen any around here yet, but I must admit I haven't actually been looking either. __________________ Anji

05-12-2008, 06:14 AM	#10 (permalink)
bulrush "Preparing For First shed" Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Grand Rapids, MI Posts: 73 Country:	Re: Snake ID please, fox snake? Thanks everyone. Shortly after I posted this I did a search and found a water snake that looked just like this. Several years ago I did look for photos of water snakes, and found pics of the norther water snake that had a VERY arrow-shaped head, like a rattler, it was black with mostly even dark gray triangles. I saw snakes matching those photos in a park. But, I believe you, it must be a northern water snake. These guys move MUCH fastser on land than a garter. As soon as we spot them, BOOM!, they are gone. This one was apparently sleeping on a bush, so we ran home, got a net, returned and he was still asleep. I tried to catch him in the net but he escaped. He fell in the water and we never saw him again. __________________ "Oh, bother," said Pooh. And he imploded. I am the mighty Milquetoast! Prepare to be inconvenienced.

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