Snake at Pharoah Lake

[Wildernessphoto]

When Val and I were at Pharoah lake, we were rock hopping across the stream by the falls, when I came toe to head with this snake climbing the bolder in the middle of the stream. For those of you who know me...I don't do snakes! I backed up and took a shot with my zoom, but Val took a seat next to the snake, and got some shots with her digital, and then proceeded to pet this snake! (any one who does the Northville/Placid trail by themselves , has no fear!) it has markings that came out with the digital, better than film. maybe we can get her to post her shots.
Does anyone know what kind of snake this is? I'd say he was over 2' long and about 1 1/2" in diameter...
Thanks!

[Kevin]

Some type of milk snake??

You'd know if it was a rattlesnake, and I think Val would definitely know.

[Rick]

Wilderness, I am going to say it is a black rat snake - They can get up to 6 feet long and are common in areas in the lower ADK's.
They are great climbers too. While they are nonvenomous, there are some (I think the black does) that can rattle their tales and fool people into thinking they are a rattler, even though they don't have pits. (or the common triangular head).
the snake usually isn't completely black but almos a blackish blueish sheen.
you might also find other color patterns on it as well, but from a distance it usually appears blackish or dark deep bluish.
Go Val, you snake charmer you!!!!

[fvrwld]

Well....It was kinda' cute. I wouldn't say pet, touch was more like it.
Rick's picture of the rat snake looks a lot like it. I will try to get a picture of it posted...I did get some neat close-ups.

[fvrwld]

Close up of head

[fvrwld]

Body markings

[fvrwld]

whole snake

[sacco]

looks to me like it's about sheddin' time for vals new boyfriend.

[Gray Ghost]

Snake

That is a northern water snake. I assume the close up pictures are of the same snake shown in wildernessphoto's image. The brownish markings and its location--near water--point to it being a nws. I frequent Pharaoh during the spring, summer, and fall, and I too have had seen my share of large snakes. I saw what must have been a record size garter snake on the mill brook trail. On another occasion, my party and I were camping at the second lean-to on the eastern shore side. My uncle was supposed to meet us there the next day but didn't show up. Later that day my brother went in to get supplies and found a note on his windshield. My uncle had spotted what he claimed was a 5 1/2 foot water snake in the flooded beginning to the mill brook trail. It turned out the snake made him turn back. The rest of his note simply read, "The water was deeper than I thought and I had shorts on...Screw that!"

[Kevin]

Makes senss that it would be a water snake considering, as scott pointed out (based on Val's photos), it looks like it's going to shed and would probably head inland to do that.

I've never seen a milksnake in person, but have see photos... I think they're rather large, right?

[Rick]

Mea Culpa, The new photos show it is a much brighter color than I thought - Sorry for the confusion.

Kevin, I think milk snakes are usually a bit smaller. I used to see a lot of them in PA, they have some pretty cool colors and patterns to them. Sometimes they look a bit like a copperhead, other times more like a coral (though there are no Coral snakes up here - We used to encounter them by the dozens in the army on maneuvres in Florida "Red to yellow kill a fellow" and I think Black to yellow was the nonvenomous King Snake).

If I am not sure of the snake, my old fallback (other than to not touch it) is to look at the eyes, if they are round I generally think of them as safe. If they are oblong, or slits, I move away carefully as I assume they are venomous (like the copperhead)

[Kevin]

I was just joking with my coworkers that I'd like to get a snake...

I shared an apartment a few years ago and they had a Boa, it was a blast having him. Any bigger though and he may have killed me one time he decided my neck made a good squeeze toy. lol

[Wildernessphoto]

That is a northern water snake. I assume the close up pictures are of the same snake shown in wildernessphoto's image. The brownish markings and its location--near water--point to it being a nws.

I think your right Gray Ghost.
I went to the website Ken999 put a link to in Jeff's tread, and this is what it said:

"The water snake is found in and around almost any waterbody or wetland in the state. As an adult, it is a stout animal typically dark brown to black with lighter-colored bands and splotches along its length. This is most pronounced in young individuals (adults may appear solid black). It is the only large (up to 42 inches) water snake in our range. This species is frequently called or mistaken for a cottonmouth (water moccasin); this latter species is a large venomous snake that does not occur within our state borders. This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition and it does bear a superficial resemblance to the cottonmouth."

http://www.esf.edu/pubprog/brochure/snakes/snakes.htm

I originally thought it was a rat snake, But after seeing this I think your right.

[redhawk]

"This confusion is understandable as our water snake is certainly an aggressive species with a nasty disposition "

That's not a snake, Thats Jeff when he leaves his matches home!

[Jeff]

LOL. I NEVER leave home without them!