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About Meryl Green
Expertise
I can answer questions regarding the ecology, behavior and basic biology of various animal species, particularly cats and Florida native animals. I generally cannot answer questions regarding the physiology of animals. I -do not- know about duck husbandry.

Experience
Eight years as a Docent in the Central Florida Zoo, Education Animal Keeper internship at the Central Florida Zoo, research assistant with the University of Central Florida Beach Mouse Project.

Education/Credentials
B.S. Biology

You are here: Experts > Science > Biology > Zoology > identify this snake

Zoology - identify this snake

Expert: Meryl Green - 7/27/2009

Question
QUESTION: I got a picture of a snake crawling outside. It's been staying in my pond. Can you tell me what kind it is?
IMAGE: snake

ANSWER: Since that's not a particularly distinct color pattern (i.e. a lot of snakes have it) I'll be better able to help you if you can give me a general idea of where you live, something like 'central Florida' or 'eastern Mississippi' will do. You might also like to try looking it up on enature.com; this link (http://enature.com/fieldguides/search_advanced.asp?curGroupID=7) will take you to the advanced search for reptiles and amphibians.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm sorry about not telling you where I live. I thought about that after I sent the question. I live in Southern Louisiana. Just 50 miles south west of New Orleans. Thanks again.

Answer
That's ok. I have people all the time wanting me to identify snakes (both online and in person) from a statement like 'it was black' or 'it was huge' :P.

I think you might have a northern diamondback water snake, Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer. That species is not venomous, though apparently it can be aggressive.

Here are some pictures to compare your snake to. They do vary a bit in color.
http://i.pbase.com/u18/nezmo/large/43010068.IMG_2343_edited1.jpg
http://www.herpjournal.com/2007/04_28_07/fullsize/04_28_07_1.jpg

And a good informational page:
http://www.nearctica.com/herps/snakes/colubrid/Nrhomb.htm

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