Help with Snake ID

[Big Cat]

Could you guys help me figure out what type of snake this is?

[LesterLee]

Looks like a Northern water snake.

[Tom Powers]

In poking around I found a really cool guide to snakes in VA.

Snakes of Virginia

It sure looks like a pine snake



but they live in the western part of the state. Your profile does not say what town that you are from.

Maybe a brown water snake



The pict of a northern water snake shows stripes not blotches.



but what do I know.

Tom

[rattler]

with the shape of the head...cotton mouth, I can't tell how long it is from the pics...copper head is usually much fatter in the middle...but it sure looks like a biter...

[Isabelle]

Kill First Ask Questions Later>>> man, I Hate Snakes!!!

[Big Cat]

I am from Richmond. I have not killed it. He went under the house. He is pretty small maybe 12-14". It was very aggressive. I tried to poke it around a little and it would coil up and try to bite me. It didnt look like it had any kind of teeth. I think it looks alot like that water snake but there isnt much water where i am. Dont know if that matters... I dint want to kill it if he wasnt dangerous, but if he is he is gonna take a dirt nap.

[Russ D]

Arrow shaped head! Stay away and you might wanna find someone to get rid of them.

[Tom Powers]

My first thought was a timber rattler but I did not see a rattle at the tail.





Cotton mouth and water snake together.



I agree at first glance I did not like the shape of the head. It seems pretty skinny for a cotton mouth.

Tom

[daf]

Looks more like a hognose snake to me.

[River Lizard]

Big Cat what county do you live in ?

The problem with juvenile snakes is their patterns and colors can change as they become an adult so many times it's hard to ID these. Many snakes are killed because the IDing was not correct. Also some juveniles will flatten their heads in a defensive move to scare the intruder not to attack. They can also puff up their bodies too, to make them seem larger.

Keep in mind that juvenile venomous snakes can be more dangerous than adult venomous snakes, this is because juveniles have not learned to control their injection of venom and usually dump all of it when they bite. Adults keep some venom in reserve in case they are attack again and need to bite again.

Could be a corn snake or a Rat snake.

When in doubt just call a local pet store and ask for a contact name of someone know works with snakes. Usually they will come out and ID the snake and if you want it removed, they take it venomous or not. Most will just relocate it to a safer area.