Posted by Greg Jolly on August 6, 2008

Q: I found this in my pool, it looks like a small snake but has what appears to be a forked appendage at one end, the other seems to be blunted. Its barely bigger than a heavy thread and is dark brownish in color. Its about 8 inches long and maybe 1 16th of an inch thick. If i can find a way to post a picture I'd be happy to.

State: Tennessee

Habitat: suburban/yard

A: Your animal isn't a snake at all but a kind of worm called a Gordian Worm. You can check out a good site on this animal at: www.des.state.nh.us

These interesting animals are parasitic on insects and spiders (not dangerous to humans or pets) and have often been called Horsehair Snakes because farmers thought they were horse hairs that had turned to snakes. The immatures live inside the bodies of insects and spiders but the adults live in water where you found yours. Thanks for asking.

John Wiessinger ( August 6, 2008)