Conflicting identification. Need opinion

[Barbsmith]

I have had rat snakes here in north central Texas but I am sure this is not a rat snake. Someone identified it as a cotton mouth.
I'm just trying to confirm. This is the second snake I have caught on a mouse sticky trap in my garage. I live in the lbj grasslands and snakes are very prevelant this year. We have had lots of rain too.
Any advise is appreciated on the type of snake this is.

[Amadeus]

It is a harmless water snake (nerodia).

How do you plan on getting that snake off of the glue trap if at all? :(

[poison123]

How sad :(. Yeah its a water snake.

[SSSSnakes]

I would need a better picture to confirm, especially the head.

[Amadeus]

I would need a better picture to confirm, especially the head.

Nerodia have the ability to flatten out their heads to resemble venomous species, I positive its a water snake :)

[KORBIN5895]

I would need a better picture to confirm, especially the head.

You're right Jerry. It's kinda asinine to make a guess when you can't se anything pattern wise and the head scales don't show up.

[bcr229]

Not sure what kind of snake it is, but if you post a better pic so it can be positively ID'ed as a harmless snake, applying cooking/vegetable oil to the glue will let you remove the snake from the board without harming it.

[Amadeus]

Have you guys ever seen a cottonmouth? Completely different head and pattern than what op posted.

[Starbuck]

you cant discern any sort of head pattern in this head photo.
Snake probably won't/cant be saved at this point anyways, moot.

How about someone provide the OP with the major distinctions between nerodia and agkistrodon so if they find another snake, they can ID and release it promptly?

[KORBIN5895]

Have you guys ever seen a cottonmouth? Completely different head and pattern than what op posted.

Why yes, yes I have. That picture is just teal crappy.

[rocknhorse76]

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/eastern-cottonmouth/eastern_cottonmouth.htm

Maybe this will help?? Judging by the length of the tail I think it looks like a water snake....

[poison123]

Edit: never mind

[Starbuck]

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/reptiles/snakes/eastern-cottonmouth/eastern_cottonmouth.htm

Maybe this will help?? Judging by the length of the tail I think it looks like a water snake....



very nice comparison shot, thanks rocknhorse!

[rocknhorse76]

very nice comparison shot, thanks rocknhorse!


Glad to help.

[Barbsmith]

Sorry for the bad picture. I'm just not good at taking pictures of snakes. You all are expert handlers and I'm just a stay at home mom keeping wild animals at bay. I am having animal control help me with the veg. Oil advise to get it off. It is sad for the little guy to be stuck. Although this picture shows how he coiled up to try and get off of it. Actually he was stuck flat before the picture. Pretty smart snake. Thanks for the advise. You all have helped.

[rocknhorse76]

You're very welcome. Is he still alive?

[Lickeypie]

Oil does indeed get animals off sticky traps. I once "saved" a mouse from a sticky trap by using vegetable oil.

[SSSSnakes]

Have you guys ever seen a cottonmouth? Completely different head and pattern than what op posted.

Not only have I seen a Cotton Mouth, I keep them. And from that picture, I would never positively ID that snake as a non venomous snake. If your wrong, someone could get hurt trying to remove the snake from the glue trap.

[KORBIN5895]

You're very welcome. Is he still alive?

I think you missed her venomous sarcasm....

[bcr229]

I am having animal control help me with the veg. Oil advise to get it off. It is sad for the little guy to be stuck.
Thanks, I hope the little guy survives. Also I'm surprised that AC would help, in my county if it's not cute and furry they won't touch it -even surrendered pet reptiles are killed within hours. :pissedoff:

[rocknhorse76]

I think you missed her venomous sarcasm....

Haha, yes its quite possible that I did considering I was probably only half awake when I responded :yes:

[Barbsmith]

This may be shocking. But I use a mechanics spray they say is made of fish oil. Released him within 10 min. It was incredible. Because I never thought he would be able to get unstuck. The snake acted like nothing ever happened. Just wiggled of. I read articles on the spray and how it was invented by 2 rocket scientist. Any it took them 40 tries to get the formula right. It's called wD-40. The snake had nothing to lose so I took my chances and it worked.

[rocknhorse76]

Water Displacement Formula #40. Best stuff ever lol.