Indiana Snake Identification

[mclendenen]

Hey everybody,

I came across a snake in the yard yesterday. Im trying ti figure out what kind it is. THe only reason I saw it was because it spooked one of my dogs. I went over to see what he was going nuts about and saw this guy.
He was coiled up against the fence. I tried to move him with a broom stick and he coild up and struck at me. Ive been around a decent amount of Indiana snakes in my life and ive never seen one like this or this big.
About 3 feet in length, triangular shaped head, round pupils, no rattle. There is a large lake and also a swamp not too far away from us. He slithered away into the tall grass and into the woods.
I am only concerned since my dogs are out there all the time.
Here is a picture of it.

Thanks!

[IW17]

Water snake. Non venomous. Not exactly sure what species.

[drumcrush]

Saw this on thamnophis

[Jim Smith]

I agree, it's a water snake, probably either banded or brown water snake. They can be fairly aggressive if they feel threatened and will almost certainly bite if picked up carelessly (I've was bitten many, many times as a kid), but it's completely harmless.

[jpsteele80]

Nice find, wouldn't worry about the dogs :D

[Sublimeballs]

Northern water snake??? Do they live in Indiana? It does look like a brown water but I didn't think they live in Indiana. Either way its non-venomous.