Posted by Mel on April 11, 2005

Q: I found a snake in North Georgia (Snellville - Gwinnett County) area and am wondering what type it is. It was black (very dusty looking not sleek or shiny) with a cream colored underbelly. I would estimate it at 2 to 3 feet long, thin at head and tail but quite a thick middle. It was not afraid of my presence and would arc its head up when I approached it - (not open its mouth but rise up to almost "watch" me). I did not get that close to it (was afraid of it being a cottonmouth moccasin?), but noted a small triangular head with a cream color underneath. It may have had some darker and lighter colored markings around its eyes. Any idea what this snake was?

A: My first thought was that it was a Rat Snake but the "very dusty looking, not sleek or shiny" and

the "quite a thick middle" and the "may have had some darker and

lighter colored markings around its eyes" makes me think not. Might also be a darkly-marked water

snake of some kind, but most of those in Georgia have markings on the

belly. It may really have been a cottonmouth — the coloration, body

shape, and markings on the head fits. The Cottonmouth typically open their mouths when threat-displaying — but might not unless really aggravated.

Cottonmouths are typically found in swamps (although a local naturalist tells me he has seen them in surprisingly

dry places in Missouri.) and not sure what kind of wet habitat you have nearby. Best bet is to avoid ANY snake you're not sure of. Of course, even the venomous snakes are a valuable part of the ecosystem so they shouldn't be killed. Sorry I can't provide a definitive answer.

John Wiessinger ( April 13, 2005)