[Arctic Fox]

Last night's storm filled up the pond next to us and, while I was watching a family of ducks in it today, I noticed a snake swimming. Looked like a Black Racer - thin and about 18" long. Do they swim?

[MrGolf]

Not normally but from what I have read they have been seen in the water occasionally. Were you able to see the head clearly. That can give you a good indication of what you saw.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If it had orange stripes it could have been either a water moccasin or a Florida water snake. The moccasin is poisonous and the water snake is harmless. They are very difficult to tell apart.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Arctic Fox

Last night's storm filled up the pond next to us and, while I was watching a family of ducks in it today, I noticed a snake swimming. Looked like a Black Racer - thin and about 18" long. Do they swim?

It looked like a Black Racer, but didn't appear jet black - although being in the water may have made it look dark gray - certainly no color to it

[Jima64]

Rounded nose head or like a arrowhead tells me what to do with the snake.

[Bambi]

Can't always tell by head shape. Coral snakes have round heads with black nose area.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Jima64

Rounded nose head or like a arrowhead tells me what to do with the snake.

I think that you need to look at the eyes to tell the difference between a moccasin and a Florida water snake.

[DonH57]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I think that you need to look at the eyes to tell the difference between a moccasin and a Florida water snake.

But don't look for too long or too late.ouch!

[Nucky]

Originally Posted by DonH57

But don't look for too long or too late.ouch!

I'm with you! Look at what? You've gotta be kidding....look at the dust...Adios

[graciegirl]

Originally Posted by Nucky

I'm with you! Look at what? You've gotta be kidding....look at the dust...Adios

I completely agree.

[bagboy]

I worked at a country club in SC for more than a decade. Our course was built in a wetland area and we had just about every critter imaginable to include water moccasins, copperheads, rattle snakes, and a variety of non venomous snakes. For the most part, you'll be able to tell a water moccasin from a black racer by its thickness. Water moccasins have a thicker body including the head. Black racers tend to have longer, skinnier bodies. Those of us who worked there knew to stay out of the brush, stay out of the woods, and never ever put your hand into any body of water for any reason. Pretty good advice for here, too.

[Arctic Fox]

Originally Posted by Dr Winston O Boogie jr

I think that you need to look at the eyes to tell the difference between a moccasin and a Florida water snake.

unfortunately, my snake was wearing sunglasses...

[Retiring]

This is one creepy thread.

[MrGolf]

Most of the time they wont bother you so long as you don't bother/ startle them. Like bagboy says, stay our of the brush and don't go sticking your hand in the pond searching for a golf ball. You might come out with more than a Titleist

[rubicon]

I'm only afraid of 4 kinds of snake big, little alive, dead. I'm told their not a problem if you are properly introduced