Busy Day

[Karnis]

Well then today has been a burden on all that is within me. Been chopping firewood all day (Just for future referance throuout this post these stacks of wood have been out for 5-7 months)
As in Herps I saw 1 green anole about 2 inches long, and 2 snakes (Unidentified due to not haveing glasses on).
Well the first one I caught sight of as I was while I was handpicking up some smaller chopped brancher from one pile and moveing it to the stacks (Dont see why we just didnt do that when we unloaded the wood in the first place) This herein caused a huge disturbance because of not haveing my glasses and I couldnt tell from the position and its quick movements weather it was a water mossican or a harmless rat snake or Black racer. It had a black body with a yellow stripe along its back with some blue around its belly. Also it was in shed but the second which also I had no glasses for was the same coloration but not in shed. Well seeing as how my Father is deathly afraid of all slitheing things, I had to kill it (Haveing seen the second before it moved into the same pile, I coaxed it to escape) If anyone has any idea what kind of snake this was, please let me know. I live smack dab in the middle of NC and I havent had the chance yet to look through my feild guide

[kerri4776]

you had to kill it?

[Karnis]

dad threatened the kickout card...Let me put it this way...He is the type that sees a wild snake and says copperhead. no matter the color...It was kinda funny to see him jump onto thoes two logs though

[haroldo359]

lol... it took me a LOOOONG time. but finally my dad came around and won't kill a snake unless it is venomous.

[Karnis]

Well by head shape it did not look like a mossican, and I was willing to bet on it. But my cousin that was over helping us took a heavy rake we had and pressed down on the neck. I heard a snap and knowing what had just happened at that moment I took the axe and finished it. So truthfully I took it as pity and I did lay the finishing blow but that damage that was done was done. I went back out and looked at the body and the scales were slightly Keeled, My cousin threw the head down the hill. The body had a bit of brown but mostly black, The blue on the lower portion of its sides is what had me fooled, and looking through my feild guide, I havent seen any piccies that even closely resemble it, It tried a few defensive strikes, and right before its pinning, I saw the inside of the mouth and no fangs. I really hate it, and I dont think my father will ever be out of his fear, It is very deep seated due to experiances when he was younger (And in a military family to boot)

[haroldo359]

there are some water snakes that look real similar to cottonmouths. if i am in doubt, i just stay away.

	Cottonmouth Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) - Also known as a Water Moccasin.