Snake ID

Quote:
My Catahoula left me a possum in the yard this morning...and she has tangled with coons as well. The best chicken dog I have ever had...

Not a copperhead. I agree with the others, a non poisonous water snake.

My vote is Diamondback Water Snake, and I've been a herpeto-phile since I was a little girl. Look at the photo bayouchica took, and then click on the small photo to the left of the title in the article webdawg linked. They look virtually identical, right down to the posture. The snake in question appears to be too long to bve a brown water snake, and the banding is definitely too distinct. The eyes being on top of the head, near the eye stripe, are some of the final keys that point to this almost certainly being a DWS.

While cottonmouths can have some pattern, it is not that distinct, either. Also, they have a shorter, wider body. Note that the cottnmouth has eyes on the sides of it's head (and of course, that distinctive "pit", although chica was not able to get a closeup of her snake's head. Please note that not all North American venomous snakes have a head wider than their body.

Lastly, it is definitely NOT a copperhead, but that photo of the copperhead is a BEAUTY!!!

Thanks for sharing, chica!

One more note about cottonmouths/moccasins. I think they have white marks near their eyes that resemble eyebrows.

Thank yall for all that good info.
Can you believe I was out in my canoe & ran into a similar one swimming by me. was the same kind like on the log.Didn't have my camera.
prariechiken, beautiful dog ya got there,curr dogs are smart & understand English.
Hey there Hotwings, resuce chics are doing good.I'll get a pic of them posted soon. Can't tell if they're hens or not...
Have a good one yall, Miriam

My toes have curled up just reading this thread and looking at the pictures.
Your pictures are fabulous, as always.
I know nothing about snakes and prefer to live and let live, but to me, nothing is more frightening than to come across one, poisonous or not. I have only seen the black snakes around here, some with white bellies. I am assured they are safe, but doesn't mean I'm not backstepping the moment I see them!
Thanks for all the info you all posted on this thread, it is always a learning experience. Hopefully one I will never have to put into use.
Be careful out there!

Suburbanhomesteader is right (mostly). Brown watersnakes and Diamondback watersnakes are close cousins. This critter may very well be an intergrade between the two species (it happens alot when ranges overlap).

Not much to worry about as they prey mainly on catfish.

Need more info try here: http://www.snakesandfrogs.com

enjoy your wildlife!