[John_W]

I'm no snake expert, but it looks like this guy and your location fits.

Diamondback Water Snake

The diamondback water snake is non-venomous but extremely aggressive, and often misidentified as poisonous cottonmouths. Water snakes, as their name implies are largely aquatic. They spend the vast majority of their time in, or very near permanent sources of water. Often they can be found basking on tree branches which overhang slow moving streams or ponds. Their primary diet is fish and amphibians, and they are quite adept at catching both in their aquatic environment. They will also consume rodents.

While their initial instinct is to flee when disturbed, they do typically have a nasty disposition, and do not often hesitate to strike or bite if handled, and will often expel a foul-smelling musk from their cloaca.



Cottonmouth Snake



Where was your photo taken?