What kind of snake is this?

[shmaverick1]

Hey guys, could anyone help me figure out what kind of snake this is in the attachment? I would really appreciate it! I found it in the lake near my apartment in eastern Alabama. It is reddish/brownish with tan ringlike markings.

[infernalis]

Looks like a banded water snake.

http://srelherp.uga.edu/snakes/pics/nerfas4.jpg

[krippler]

was about to say the same thing. i have seen quite a few of these.

[shmaverick1]

aw cool! could it be anything else?

[shmaverick1]

are they dangerous? or would I be able to catch it? I like snakes but I do not know how to handle them especially if they are wild.

[Gungirl]

are they dangerous? or would I be able to catch it? I like snakes but I do not know how to handle them especially if they are wild.

If you are not 100% sure of what it is don't attempt to handle it. It will bite you...

[KORBIN5895]

There is the possibility it is a copperhead. They are venomous.

[Brently]

I would also be careful as some copperheads and water moccasins can have coloring similar to that. And that is a mistake that you are not going to want to make.

[reptile65]

It looks more like a copperhead to me. The bands seem very thick and there is a lot of contrast between the light and dark bands. If we could see the shape of the snake's head in the picture, that would help a lot. As others have said, don't try to catch it unless you're 100% sure it's not venomous.

[bushsnake]

thats Nerodia...100%

[KORBIN5895]

I would also be careful as some copperheads and water moccasins can have coloring similar to that. .

But if you decide to catch it video it!