A new critter around the home place...

[Snakelover]

Water snakes will flatten their head out like that when threatened, making it look more triangular. When a cottonmouth is threatened, you usually see them mouth agape. Note the shape and relative size of the scales on the head, particularly the three scales from eye to eye. Cottonmouth at left and water snake on right.

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I believe it to be a yellow belly as well. I really don't care for water snakes. They are nasty smelling and aggressive.

[texag93]

Water snakes will flatten their head out like that when threatened, making it look more triangular. When a cottonmouth is threatened, you usually see them mouth agape. Note the shape and relative size of the scales on the head, particularly the three scales from eye to eye. Cottonmouth at left and water snake on right.

Oh, flash backs to college.....Dr Dixon, herp lab...... Thanks David.

[Dc78]

I thought you where going to say Fig moved back in! Looking at the Title of the thread.

[SaltwaterSlick]

It's a water snake alright, but it has the body to fool ya. Been a many a snake like that killed for a "stump-tail moccasin" fer sure! And Dave is right... they are mean and stink too!

[Blood Trail]

A Cottonmouth in that position will have its head pointed upward to show you inside the mouth which is a warning signal.

You've been watching too much Marty Stouffer. Not all cottonmouths do that. I've encountered plenty that didn't. OR is it I never gave them a chance to?

[lbbf]

It is NOT a cotton mouth. I would pick it up without any problems. They do bite and smell horrible, but not dangerous.

[Olphart]

I have to agree with Snakelover and the others...Yellowbelly WATER Snake. The patterns on the back are similar to the Blotched; both are related. It did some fake strikes from the "looking away" posture, unlike a Western Cottonmouth that will take you on, head on. My reference book reports that these and the Blotched are usually mistaken for the Cottonmouth, which have slit pupils, not round.

Roy D., I'll take a pass on that suggestion!
DC78, don't even suggest that!

Regardless, Momma says it better not show up in her sight or I'll be sorry!

[Tuffbroadhead]

It is NOT a cotton mouth. I would pick it up without any problems. They do bite and smell horrible, but not dangerous.

God yes they do stink!!!!!!
I caught one a few weeks ago that was around three ft ....Very smelly!!

[lbbf]

I had a friend call me last week and told me they had a cotton mouth in their pool. I showed up and it was a yellowbelly. I relocated it to a bayou close by and it stunk up the entire car.

[holdem]

You've been watching too much Marty Stouffer. Not all cottonmouths do that. I've encountered plenty that didn't. OR is it I never gave them a chance to?

Sorry, I don't know who that is. I grew up with Cottonmouths for yard dogs.

[SabreKiller]

I don't care what kind of snake it is...

it looks like a bad snake, therefore DEAD SNAKE!