Is this a copperhead?

[centrarchid]

I think it's a Northern Water Snake.

I think this is correct. I am from area and know northern copperheads and northern water snakes. Need image of head and scales. Look for pits and vertical pupils. Then look as scales, are they smooth or ridged.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

It's not a copperhead

 

[Feanor]

Agree not a copper head (I've had to fight one off my fish basket one day when I was fishing) But I support the poster's decision to kill it. When it comes to things that can KILL your children, best to shoot first, ask questions later. Don't take chances when it comes to safety. Water snakes are in no way endangered and yes, they have their role in the ecosystem, killing mice and other critters, but no animal is worth risking the safety of humans.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Error on the side of caution.

 

[wood&feathers]

Feanor I agree the pictured snake is not a copperhead, and is probably an unusually pretty Northern water snake. But the snake that was so eager to get in your fish basket was also probably a watersnake (unless you are in cottonmouth territory). Though all snakes swim and it would not be unusual to find a copperhead near water, attacking a fish basket is just SOOO Nerodia genus!

Water snakes tend to be belligerent, and their saliva contains stuff many folks react against. Plus they bite NASTY, even if not venomous.

My perspective on killing snakes has evolved over time. When single and working out in the woods I never killed one. While my kids were young around the house here in Red River Gorge (one of the densest snake populations outside Florida) I killed MANY copperheads. I also saved and used the skins on bows, and we ate the largest ones. Copperhead is sweeter meat than rattlesnake, and skinning/cleaning is as easy as taking your socks off.

Now my kids are good at spotting them, and large enough for a bite to not be too big a risk. We have also acquired chickens and a dog who is a very talented "snake dog". So I haven't killed any in 2 years, and probably won't unless it is an unusually large one.

Relocation sounds nice but is usually fatal to the snake. Unless I have broodies (like right now) I am attempting aversion therapy on egg eating, non venomous snakes. But I digres

 

[wayne hulgan]

looks like a Corn Snake, but much larger than this. tome.

 

[centrarchid]

Feanor I agree the pictured snake is not a copperhead, and is probably an unusually pretty Northern water snake. But the snake that was so eager to get in your fish basket was also probably a watersnake (unless you are in cottonmouth territory). Though all snakes swim and it would not be unusual to find a copperhead near water, attacking a fish basket is just SOOO Nerodia genus!

Water snakes tend to be belligerent, and their saliva contains stuff many folks react against. Plus they bite NASTY, even if not venomous.

My perspective on killing snakes has evolved over time. When single and working out in the woods I never killed one. While my kids were young around the house here in Red River Gorge (one of the densest snake populations outside Florida) I killed MANY copperheads. I also saved and used the skins on bows, and we ate the largest ones. Copperhead is sweeter meat than rattlesnake, and skinning/cleaning is as easy as taking your socks off.

Now my kids are good at spotting them, and large enough for a bite to not be too big a risk. We have also acquired chickens and a dog who is a very talented "snake dog". So I haven't killed any in 2 years, and probably won't unless it is an unusually large one.

Relocation sounds nice but is usually fatal to the snake. Unless I have broodies (like right now) I am attempting aversion therapy on egg eating, non venomous snakes. But I digres

I catch northern water snakes fairly routinely while working and occassionally encounter cottonmouths. The water snakes in feeding mode will catch and eat one fish after another in the seine under your nose as you watch. Recently I spent 15 minutes allowing students to observe the manner in which the snake catches fish. Most water snakes we have bite pretty readily when cornered but are also more rapid in beating a retreat than a northern copperhead. In contrast, the very pretty Osage copperhead which occurs where I live now does not seem inclined to stand its ground even when cornered. I have been bitten by northern water snakes numerous times and it does leave bleeding horsehoe shaped bites. Students saw that once and have since decided that I am not to be triffled with.

Snake you killed appears to be a female so you killed many at once.

 

[zazouse]

He is a banded water snake fishing for catfish in one of our ponds.

 

[centrarchid]

I see banded only in historically swampy areas and the larger fish farms. They bite less than the norther water snake but do smell as bad.

Channel catfish looking for eats in background?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

He is a banded water snake fishing for catfish in one of our ponds.



That is so COOL. Very Nice.