First snake of the year

[needle n haystack]

Ran into this guy out in the woods today it's non poisonous but as I learned the hard way years ago it can still bite

 

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[vpnavy]

They still scare the crap out of me needle n haystack!

 

[Peyton Manning]

hope you let it live. what kind is it?

 

[Talon]

That's a Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon. They are a harmless snake, but can be a little pissy if you pick them up. Pretty neat snakes really, they are a rattlesnake mimic and share a similar pattern and color to Massasauga Rattlesnakes. Their eyes are also on the top of their head so they can be partially submerged in the water with their eyes out of the water. They are often misidentified as "Water Moccasins" though in IL and the Great Lakes regions there are no Water Moccasins.

 

[needle n haystack]

No harm done to the snake just a few few pictures. As Talon commented its a northern water snake if you wade the dupage for small mouths you'll run into lots of them

 

[Peyton Manning]

thanks, I'm in Indiana and haven't seen one of those

 

[Talon]

You can find them in Indiana. Frog and fish eaters, I've usually found them in marshy ponds. Sometimes you'll actually find them basking in tree branches overhanging the water. Disturb them and *sploosh* into the water they go.

 

[luvsdux]

Never seen one out here it Idaho. I know that I'd think rattlesnake at first look.
luvsdux

 

[Jimmi]

What a chunky monkey. It looks like they mulch your forests .