Baby Snake Identification- Ohio
Posted by Paula McEliece on October 4, 2005
Q: Our youngest son spotted this snake along the edge of the concrete foundation in the garage (after 8 pm). Our second son caught him. We have seen many baby garter snakes, but they have really never had a pattern like this fella and have always been of dull green/gray/brown color with a stripe of some sort. I haven't seen a milk snake in many years and even that wasn't in the "wild"...but I was thinking perhaps this could be one?!?!
We did let this guy free after his photo op. We have a Ball Python, but had no idea how to keep this little guy safe and comfy until we could identify it. I have uploaded two photos to my host space in hopes someone could help us. THANKS!
(Galion, Ohio. Rural, surrounded by corn fields and woods. We also have a small creek that runs behind our house on the edge of a sparse woods.)
State: Ohio
A: Thanks so much for the photos - these really help! From what I can see and based on where you live, it looks like a young Northern Water Snake to me. I realize it doesn't look like the adults but the young are much more boldly patterned. The Peterson Field Guide to Reptiles and Amphibians has a good photo of a baby Northern Water Snake that may help you confirm this ID. As a child, I often caught these little guys along our local creek. If you're familiar with water snakes, you know they readily defend themselves by biting. In fact, this is one species of snake that is almost impossible to tame even if you have them from babyhood!
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It's refreshing to see someone who isn't afraid of snakes -so many peoples' reaction is to kill them on sight. Thanks for sharing and I hope you'll check out our site often.
John Wiessinger ( October 4, 2005)