Nasty Snake

[jeff...]

I saw another snake early this evening - it was gray green, black and white snake but was definitely poisonous becuase it had viper like triangle head. It was a good 5' perhaps 6' long and looked like it had eaten something pretty big not all that long ago, since it had a big belly if you know what I mean. It had a distinct white outlined diamond pattern on it's back, the diamond was filled in with black but the body looked mostly gray or gray green. It also had a black stripe crossing each eye it's nose was a grayish green and it's underside appeared to be a light gray although I couldn;t really tell since I kept my distance. Odd thing it had a fairly long uniform diameter black tail.

A first I thought it might be a rattle snake because it kind of looked like one but was a lot more colorful than the tan colored rattle snakes I've seen on TV from the south west plus it did not rattle. Of course I didn't try to provoke it either to see what it might do, it commanded respect. This is the first one I've seen like it and was wondering if anyone might know what it was. Needless to say I didn't have my camera with me and even if I did I don't think I would have taken it's picture up close. It was one nasty looking snake and everything about that snake said danger, stay away to me. It was a big bad boy that's forsure.

Any ideas on identification?

[Ivey]

Jeff, I don't know what it may have been, but it sounds like you were to close for to long.

[jeff...]

I've seen more snakes this year already than in any of the years I can recall - you guys be careful out there take time and look around real well.

[bitbight]

Jeff,

Sounds like you saw a black rat snake or even a king snake, both of these are non-poisonous. Constrictors that feed of mice and birds. Check out this web site and see if it looks familiar.

http://www.wildwnc.org/education/ani...eleta-obseleta

A few years back I was doing some dog training, and noticed a cotton-mouth around the kennels. Took a shovel and beheaded it. A couple of minutes later I saw this big king snake moving in on the still jerking body of the cotton mouth. It hit coiled and crushed the body. It was amusing to watch the snake look for the head end to swallow, there wasn't any. Eventually it figured out which end it wanted and ate the cotton-mouth.

[LeftyTom]

Originally Posted by bitbight

Jeff,

Sounds like you saw a black rat snake or even a king snake, both of these are non-poisonous. Constrictors that feed of mice and birds. Check out this web site and see if it looks familiar.

http://www.wildwnc.org/education/ani...eleta-obseleta

Ding ding, we have a winner! As you noted Ray, king snakes eat poisonous snakes as well. Leave those king snakes alone.

[rsitzejr]

I killed a two foot copperhead in the back yard last Sunday. Our lab mix found it, it was coiled and trying to strike. I'm no sure if the dog was warning us or trying to play with it.

Someone told me if you see one copperhead, their's another? They hang out in pairs?

[barryu]

For someone that didn't get too close, you sure had a detailed memory of it. If there is ever a crime in our neighborhood, I hope you're one of the witnesses.

But, I also agree that snakes are best left alone.

[Hook]

Jeff, What part of Granville County are you in? Remind me to avoid your neck of the woods

[gazzer]

Could have been an eastern hognose snake, although I have never saw one longer than about 3 ft. They put on a pretty good "stay away from me" show - hissing and spreading their heads. I have seen them rustle their tails against leaves to mimic rattlers. Definitely scary looking. When that doesn't work, they flip over and play dead. Here's some pics:

http://www.duke.edu/~jspippen/herps/...gnosesnake.htm
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/58/17...fd269a.jpg?v=0

[b4man]

Originally Posted by gazzer

Could have been an eastern hognose snake,

Growing up in Guilford County, they were called "Puffin' adder's"

[jeff...]

Sorry guys none of those pics look like the snake I saw You need to think bigger and meaner looking.

[sediener]

Any of these?

http://www.naturalsciences.org/resea...akes_of_NC.pdf

[LeftyTom]

Originally Posted by rsitzejr

I killed a two foot copperhead in the back yard last Sunday. Our lab mix found it, it was coiled and trying to strike. I'm no sure if the dog was warning us or trying to play with it.

Someone told me if you see one copperhead, their's another? They hang out in pairs?

The tale is that if you kill a copperhead, its mate will come looking for it.

[jeff...]

Originally Posted by sediener

Any of these?

http://www.naturalsciences.org/resea...akes_of_NC.pdf

Yep - I'm pretty sure it was an eastern diamond back after reading the pdf you linked to. I doubt I'll see it again to verify it's true identity and I'm not going to go looking for it either. I search google and found a good picture of an eastern diamond back. I'm almost certain now that's what it was.



Thanks every one - I had no idea we have rattle snakes in north Carolina but now I know there are a few different type around here.

Like I mentioned before ya'll be careful - I've seen more snakes already this year than I can recall seeing in previous years - maybe the drought last year and this wet spring has something to do with it.

[Robert Arrowood]

Jeff thats one nasty snake.Man you be careful . With you around those logs you better keep your eyes open. I worry about snakes while I'm out looking for sticks. So I got me a pair of leggers. Got mine from my brother he had to wear them at work. At the time he worked in upstate SC. Place called BAD CREEK. My dad worked there also got a nice one stuffed. He tanned the hide himself.You need too try and catch it milk it and eat it.You know what I mean when I say milk it. Rattlesnake meat is a delicious! IN all seriousness you need to get you some leggers.Google Forestry Supplys and see what you get.