Greg Snake ID Please (if possible)

[Jack Hexter]

I did not get a photo of this critter, but fished it out of my pool this morning.

About 12"-14" in length and a little larger around than a #2 pencil. Mostly black with red banding along the sides into the belly but not over the back. Hard to see the bands until I dumped it on the grass. Not aggressive as it did not appear afraid of nor did it recoil as I prodded it off the pool cover into the water and then scooped it out with the leaf screen. Immediately buried itself in the grass when I dumped it on the side lawn.

[~~Snakeman~~]

Jack: Try a search for Florida water snake, Nerodia fasciata. The juvies are much more colorful than the adults. If the red markings were triangles, with the points facing up, & the rest was a glossy black, try the Mud Snake, Farancia abacura. Most likely the former.

~~Greg~~

[Jack Hexter]

Thanks Greg Looks more like the Mud Snake

[~~Snakeman~~]

That's a moderately rare one, Jack, & generally nearly totally aquatic. It is one of the more beautiful snakes in Florida. They feed, as adults, mostly on amphiumas & sirens, which are totally aquatic amphibians. As youngsters, they are probably feeding on frogs & tadpoles.

~~Greg~~

[Mont]

The warm weather has them active here too. This garter snake was making his way around my flower beds a couple of days ago. It was pretty kewl to watch him to his thing. The ducks weren't impressed though.

[Duff]

Saw a black snake in my garden just this evening... it has been almost 90 this week in the afternoons, and the sprinkler has created a little oasis in this parched town. I didn't get a picture of the snake but I'll sure be posting some pictures of world class vegetables... with a little luck and a whole lotta miracle grow! :D

[Mont]

I was going to put in about a half acre of sweet corn this year, but I am still waiting on them to come put in the water well to keep up with it and the pond. Can't wait to see some pics, Duff.

[Joe/GA]

I'm a little bit lazier. I'll be getting my vegetables from Publix! LOL! If I can find one of those hanging gizmoes, I might try my hand at growing one of those upside down tomato plants!! :D