iVillage GardenWeb iVillage GardenWeb THE INTERNET'S GARDEN & HOME COMMUNITY ADVERTISEMENT
Blogs
Garden Voices
Forums
Garden Forums Home Forums Nature Forums
Photo Galleries
Garden Galleries Home Galleries
Ask The Experts Tools & Directories
Organization Directory Events Calendar Hortiplex Glossary Zone Finder Garden Bazaar
       
Return to the Reptiles & Amphibians Forum | Post a Follow-Up

o
Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings
Posted by running_free (My Page) on
Sat, Jun 30, 07 at 18:32

This guy has taken over my garden this year as opposed to the typical Garter snakes we usually see. He's getting pretty large, at least 30 inches or so. I checked the Ohio DNR site but their pictures are tiny and show such vibrant color none really compare. This picture is fairly representative of it's actual color. The head seems distinctively triangular and it appears to have very muscular jaws from behind. The head is shiny/glossy in comparison to the body. I'm no fan of snakes but if it's simply harmless and keeping rodents out of my garden he's a welcome visitor.He prends most of his time in the garden or my front flower bed, just a bit worried for my indoor/outdoor cats that might tangle with him.

url=http://imageshack.us][img=http://img413.imageshack.us/img413/1633/mrsnakejl8.jpg][/url]

Sure would love to know what it is though! Any replies very much appreciated!

Here is a link that might be useful: snake pic

Follow-Up Postings:

o
RE: Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Any water nearby? First guess, Northern Water snake.

o
RE: Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Yep, it's definitely a harmless Water Snake. No worries, they are nonvenomous and harmless.

o
RE: Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

Thanks for the input folks! The state DNR site photos were no match but after reading the first reply and checking Google Images there were many near matches to confirm. There is a small creek that runs through my backyard with a small marsh full of cattails so it has good habitat to get old, long, and fat.

Any idea on the growth rate of these critters? I saw a lighter colored snake with similar markings early in the season before tilling my veggie garden but since then this is the only snake we've witnessed. We haven't seen a single Garter snake this year which has been an odd occurance. Typically we'll see them mating and oftentimes spot the young in numbers in the garden. This water snake is interesting in how it's chosen to take over the property! Front yard, back yard--even sunning on our back porch/patio without a care in the world. It's certainly well on it's way to it's 40+" potential.

Again, thanks for the confirmation!

o
RE: Yet Another Snake I.D. ??? (Ohio)

clip this post email this post what is this?
see most clipped and recent clippings

They can grow at least 6" a year up until they get older, then the growth rate slows down. Water snakes (garters too actually) seem more apt to bite when handled than other snakes but as stated above, they are non-venomous.

  
 

 

 


Click here to learn more about in-text links on this page.



iVillage GardenWeb: The Internet's Garden & Home Community
Join | Garden Forums | Home Forums | Exchanges & Trading | Member Pages | Contact Us
© 2006 iVillage Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Policies FAQ | Advertising
  
  iVillage Home & Garden Network