tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post776874673415009340..comments2023-12-16T02:39:56.603-06:00Comments on Gordon Grice: Northern Water Snake (2 of 2)Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-17047453276132089422015-07-06T07:22:01.412-05:002015-07-06T07:22:01.412-05:00We know! See James's comment above.We know! See James's comment above.Gordon Gricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13068980330242909601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-84773726819634874312015-07-06T06:13:37.592-05:002015-07-06T06:13:37.592-05:00Guys... This is most definitely not a northern wat...Guys... This is most definitely not a northern water snake and certainly not a rat snake or milk snake either. This is Lampropeltis Calligaster- "Prairie kingsnake". Go ahead. look it up you will see for yourself.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-42008258927922740642012-09-05T19:54:53.454-05:002012-09-05T19:54:53.454-05:00I remember being surprised when I first saw a harm...I remember being surprised when I first saw a harmless colubrid rattle its tail, but it was in captivity :> <br /><br />This snake looks a lot like the Mexican corn snake that is the most common species in my state. :D Beautiful animals and pics!Croconutnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-25615541650635209112012-09-05T06:03:44.181-05:002012-09-05T06:03:44.181-05:00Thank you for the information! I thought his prote...Thank you for the information! I thought his protective stance was a little odd, I had never observed the 'rattling' in my other encounters with water snakes, normally when I encounter them they will study me for a moment then move on. It is remarkable and one of the things I find most interesting about snakes that so many different species can look so very much alike. (Dee)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-88464354089988748152012-09-04T18:07:05.298-05:002012-09-04T18:07:05.298-05:00This snake actually is not a northern water snake-...This snake actually is not a northern water snake--though a spectacular animal and one I don't get to see in the wild where I live. He looks to be a prairie kingsnake (Lampropeltis calligaster) very similar to the Eastern milksnake of NYS and New England in looks but with narrow saddles where the milksnake has circular ones. He was probably hunting frogs, garter snakes or baby water snakes if he was found near water. The "fake rattler" display is a classic defense practiced by kings, rats and bullsnakes, among others. Kings, like the one in this photo, have smooth, shiny scales; water snakes have keeled (rough) scales.<br /><br />It's very rare to encounter these snakes out and about by daylight: they're secretive, semi-nocturnal burrowers. Congratulations on a great encounter with some awesome pics!James Smithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8049832311913108906.post-76250217955945634012012-09-04T08:00:26.148-05:002012-09-04T08:00:26.148-05:00He's probably saved himself more times than an...He's probably saved himself more times than any of us can count by pretending to be something more viscous than he is. "Puff up REAL big, they hate that. . ." - Ferngully<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com