If by "nope rope" you mean venomous, that's gonna be a no.

We have ton of DBWS and no rattlers. It's a DBWS if yall think that could be it

It's not a diamonback water snake. It's almost guaranteed a planbellied/yellowbellied watersnake. Juvenile based on how distinct the pattern is.

Well lesson learned. Haven't seen that pattern before on a water snake.

Wife spotted tonight on the street outside of our front yard on her walk tonight. Emerald Forest neighborhood. At first she tripped thinking Coral, then realized it's a King. Pretty snake.

What features distinguish this snake from a Mexican milk snake?

wai3gotgoats said:

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What features distinguish this snake from a Mexican milk snake?

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From AI overview on google

Quote:

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Mexican milk snakes are a type of kingsnake, meaning they belong to the same genus (Lampropeltis) but are a different species (Lampropeltis annulata). King snakes are a more general term encompassing various species within this genus, including milk snakes. While all milk snakes are kingsnakes, not all king snakes are milk snakes.

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agcrock2005 said:

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wai3gotgoats said:

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What features distinguish this snake from a Mexican milk snake?

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From AI overview on google

Quote:

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Mexican milk snakes are a type of kingsnake, meaning they belong to the same genus (Lampropeltis) but are a different species (Lampropeltis annulata). King snakes are a more general term encompassing various species within this genus, including milk snakes. While all milk snakes are kingsnakes, not all king snakes are milk snakes.

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Couldn't have said it better myself. Hah!

A friend of my daughter found this in their garage. They thought rat snake but I didn't think so given the coloration. Experts?

https://imgur.com/gallery/nCiAYuZ

Coachwhip

That sucks

Dogs found another DBWS in the back yard, a fat healthy 3 footer. After much barking, it was relocated safely. My phone wasn't on me unfortunately.

They have a very distinctive "I found a critter" bark so I have to go running and rescue whatever it is.

MS08 said:

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agcrock2005 said:

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wai3gotgoats said:

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What features distinguish this snake from a Mexican milk snake?

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From AI overview on google

Quote:

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Mexican milk snakes are a type of kingsnake, meaning they belong to the same genus (Lampropeltis) but are a different species (Lampropeltis annulata). King snakes are a more general term encompassing various species within this genus, including milk snakes. While all milk snakes are kingsnakes, not all king snakes are milk snakes.

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Couldn't have said it better myself. Hah!

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I hear what you guys are saying, but I was seeking detailed things to look for to determine if a red, black, and cream to orange banded snake is a Mexican milk snake or not.

When I search for pics of Mexican milk snakes, I see black heads. When I search for king snakes the head is red.

Is that an accurate "tell"? Are there others?

A few things. In Texas, milksnakes used to be split into several subspecies but were recently elevated to full species, including the "Mexican" milksnake. They don't really overlap in range so if you find a milksnake in south Texas that's what it is. In east Texas they are all "western" milksnakes, formerly Louisiana milksnake subspecies.

As far as looks, yes, Mexican milks typically have a full black head but not always. Their bands are more uniform shaped, they rarely have white bands within the red and black, typically more yellow or even orange. Milksnakes in other parts of Texas are cream or white, sometimes "newspaper" print grayish. Milksnakes in east and north Texas have black bands that taper as they get to the belly. There's a few other small differences as well.

Mexican Milk:




Louisiana (now "Western") milk:

You ever catch a Gray Banded? I don't know why but I think those are so cool.

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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You ever catch a Gray Banded? I don't know why but I think those are so cool.

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Yeah, grey bands are gorgeous. They come in so many different locale patterns.

Agree. Roommate had a Pueblan Milk Snake in college that was cool too.

Haven't yet but I'm actually heading over there soon to try my luck again.

Heading to Big Bend or Davis Mountains? I think they're only far west, right?

Good luck and post pics!

Christmas Mountains mostly

Good example of an angry nonvenomous PBWS flattening its head into a triangle.

Couldn't see close enough on the face for mascara eyes, but my novice ass would have ID'd that pattern and fat girthy short body as a cotton mouth.

oh no said:

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Couldn't see close enough on the face for mascara eyes, but my novice ass would have ID'd that pattern and fat girthy short body as a cotton mouth.

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This thread has made me an "expert" on water snakes over the last several years. The bright yellow jaw with vertical lines is the immediate giveaway that it's a water snake.

agcrock2005 said:

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oh no said:

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Couldn't see close enough on the face for mascara eyes, but my novice ass would have ID'd that pattern and fat girthy short body as a cotton mouth.

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This thread has made me an "expert" on water snakes over the last several years. The bright yellow jaw with vertical lines is the immediate giveaway that it's a water snake.

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The guy that sent it to me thought the same and this was the exact reasoning I gave him. He was sure it was venomous because of the head shape.

Water snake or water moccasin?? Only pic I got sent from my girlfriend on her walk this afternoon, and I can't tell at all.

I'm leaning towards PBWS, but I don't think a definitive ID can be made from that picture.

Agree not definitively ID'd, but does seem a little longer and thinner for a moccasin. I would lean water snake as well.

PBWS

Waaay to long and thin for this to be a cottonmouth. Definitely PBWS/YBWS aka Nerodia erythrogaster.

Edit: Ooops... I see the definitive expert has already weighed in and my post is just some extra fluff.

Python attempts escape from Crocodile

thatwasawesome.gif

Well that's one way to eliminate a non native and invasive species.

Found this dehydrated guy today at our Airbnb in Eugene, Oregon. Is there enough for an ID?

Western ribbon snake maybe? Based on the red line down the spine and pale stripe down side, that is what I would guess.