A new critter around the home place...

[Olphart]

Almost stepped on this dude at my garage door the other day.

Today, I saw a stray cat looking at something, then jump back when it struck at her.

Seems it likes the heavy woods around my home.

[Cropduster]

It will take care of the mice around your place. Looks like it has been eating pretty well, so I guess it is doing a good job.

[ChuckB]

dumb arse question.... what kind is it?

[thebomb6_99]

I have the ?

[Olphart]

It appears to be a Blotched Water Snake, based on the book I have. I have a small pond, but he's been seen a good distance from it both times. The book says they mate on land about this time of year, so he/she may be searching for love. Non-venomous (look at the eyes..round).

[Burnadell]

Looks like a BAD snake to me.

[texag93]

Mason, that is a good snake. Might scare ya the first time you see it though!!

[gekko man]

It sure looks like a Cotton Mouth to me, but then again it is hard to identify a snake when your running away. I stink at snake ID!!!

You need some SNAKE A WAY!!!

http://www.pestproducts.com/snakeinfo.htm

[ken]

Not a cottonmouth. Look at the round pupils(slit for cottonmouth). You can't see it in the picture but I saw one just like it last Sunday and it has bands on the belly where a cottonmouth is white. They sure look like a cottonmouth when you first see them with that fat dark body.

[lbbf]

Looks like a yellow belly water snake to me. Blotched water snakes that I have seen have a much more distinct pattern on the back. Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster

[RobinHood]

Let's let trailboss identify it (in pieces)

[Landrover]

Let's let trailboss identify it (in pieces)

LMAO.....run for the hills!!!

[holdem]

Agree with lbbf, yellow bellied water snake. They will act agressive if molested.

[Atfulldraw]

Lbbf and keep are right -- they are a dead ringer for a stump-tail at night in the water

They are much less aggressive than a WM tho.....

[bowhuntertex]

Nice size snake........good to keep the rats and mice away........