Watch for Snakes

Two nights ago I was cruising along when all of a sudden I saw a ‘stick’ right in my path. That is I thought it was a stick for a fraction of a second. The moment before I ran over it I saw that it was a snake. I drove directly over it as there was no time to avoid it. I turned around to check and fortunately the snake appeared to be unharmed. Not sure what kind. About 3.5 feet long and lots of markings. Thin head and no rattles so I assume some sort of water snake. I herded him in the direction of shore then continued on my way.

i know what your talkin about yesterday i was fishin off shore and in 30mins i seen like 4 snakes i wonder were they are all comein from so look like sticks till they get close to you

Here’s the link to the DNR page…MN DNR…Northern Water Snake

And here’s the text on that page in case you don’t want to see a picture. I’ve been seeing them for about a month now…It seems we have more snakes in this area that I knew existed…. Check out what it does if you pick one up…at the bottom of this page…

Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)
The northern water snake is a thick, medium-length snake marked with dark splotches and bands on a lighter background. It is active in the daytime. In Minnesota, it is most often found in vegetation along or swimming in water near the St. Croix, Mississippi, and Minnesota rivers.

Identification

General description: This 2- to 3-foot-long snake comes in many color variations. Generally, it has a gray or brown background with red or brown bands near its neck, irregular patches on its back, a ringed tail, and spots on its sides.

Size: Newborn northern water snakes are 6 to 10 inches long. They grow to be 24 to 42 inches. Females are generally bigger than males.

Color: Color varies substantially in this species. The background color tends to be gray or brown and the markings are brown or reddish. Its belly is lighter colored with dark, crescent-shaped spots. Very large northern water snakes may appear completely brown or black.

Reproduction

Baby water snakes are born in June, July, or August. The mother gives birth to five to 60 young, sometimes over a period of several days. One female was observed to give birth to 99 babies. The young are 7 to 10 inches long.

Food

These snakes eat frogs, turtles, fish, and other small animals found in their habitat. Sometimes they will round up fish or tadpoles with their long bodies and them eat them, or simply swim through a school of fish with their mouths open. Northern water snakes may also eat dead fish.

Predators

Birds of prey, raccoons, other snakes.

Habitat and range

Northern water snakes live in vegetation along waterways. In Minnesota, they are most often found along the St. Croix and the Mississippi, especially in the southeast. Many winter in rock crevices, often with other snakes. They can swim well, and have been known to remain underwater for more than an hour at a time.

Population and management

Water snakes receive no special protection in Minnesota.

Fun facts

Even though it’s not venomous, you probably don’t want to tangle with this snake. If you pick it up it will give off a bad smell, defecate, and maybe even throw up its last meal. It will also bite. Its saliva contains a substance that inhibits its victim’s blood from clotting.

Awsome. That would explain why it picked its head up out of the water when I came along side it. My wife was not thrilled when I decided to get a close look. Snakes don’t bother me. I’ll pick them up if I feel like it. My brothers taught me how to catch them when I was teeny tiny so I do not have the common fear of them so many do. I was bit by a garder snake once and it drew blood so I am more careful now. There were an unbelievable number of garder snakes around our cabin growing up. Scareing mom with them was a fun pastime.

Now that I think about it…my daughter did the same thing when she was little….

Quote:

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If you pick it up it will give off a bad smell, defecate, and maybe even throw up its last meal.

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Fun Facts

Even though it’s not venomous, you probably don’t want to tangle with this snake. If you pick it up it will give off a bad smell, defecate, and maybe even throw up its last meal. It will also bite. Its saliva contains a substance that inhibits its victim’s blood from clotting.

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Boy, that’s fun!

As a former herp hobbiest, I’m fairly familiar with these snakes and the warning is true…… but missing a little detail. The substance that fights clotting, burns like rash or skin reacting ointment. It’s not pleasant, very irritable, and can last up to 3 days. Not the bleeding, just the burning.

Suzuki, a garter snake is a stuffed toy compared to these critters. Not really comparable. I’m not afraid of snakes either but they need to be respected. Shoot, I’ve taken python bites that I’d consider a picnic compared against the water snakes!

Some pet shops sell them and they recommend feeding them goldfish but also recommend not trying to “tame” them. They’re to be viewed, not handled.

Viewed from a distance in my case.

Funny. I saw my first one actually out in the middle of the river yesterday. Head in the air looking at me as we passed each other.

Moss Boss and I must have seen 3 or 4 last weekend. One of them was pushing 4 ft…I thought about picking him up, but I don’t think “spooky” would’ve liked that too much.

I must have missed something here….spooky?

Mr SL…I think if you would have picked ‘er up…you might have had “scum lines” on your red shirt!

“If you pick it up it will give off a bad smell, defecate, and maybe even throw up its last meal.”

I does seem like there’s more out there this year.

No flippin’ way I’d touch one of these things. I’m sorry, but the only good snake is dead one. I grew up around rattlers, you didn’t want them sneaking into the transom when out on the Missouri. Did I mention the only good snake is a dead one.

I can’t say for sure but I’m thinking the late arrival of summer this year is effecting your sightings.

Waterfowler….. do you need therapy? Remember that there are snake farms that “milk” snakes for medicinal purposes. And compared to rats and mice? Sorry……. I’ll take a snake on duty any day! They don’t get into my cereal!

I can’t watch the darn things on TV without getting grossed out. Got this phobia directly from Ma. She says it will kill her one day. Each spring we used to have bunch of garder snakes sunning themselves on the front step. She was like a cat in a room full of rocking chairs when she looked out the window.

I have to agree “The only good snake is a dead one!” I’m a little girl when it comes to stuff like that If I would have seen the snakes I would have just left the area and not come back anytime soon. Oh and seeing these things on the bank. You can guess I wouldn’t be fishing there anymore.