Can anyone identify this snake?

[jlclub]

This may be posted twice, cause i think i screwed up. I found a snake yesterday in the basement. I live in Central NY, and have never seen this kind of snake before. Ive lived in the country all my life, handled snakes since i can remember. Its only 8 inches long, but rather aggressive. Its not a common garter, or any other that i could find on the list of 17 or so snakes that inhabit NY. It resembles a pygmy rattler, except for the tail. Any info would be helpful and thanks.

[infernalis]

Nerodia Sipedon. Common water snake, harmless. I have one sitting about 2 feet to my left right now.

Cousin of the garter snake.

http://www.thamnophis.co/nerodia/nerodia.jpg

[sherriwat]

infernalis i love your funky hide. thats is awesome.

cool snake too jlclub keep it if you can care for it that is. maybe it ended up in your basement for a reason it's destined to be yours.

[jlclub]

hey thank you very much. ive already mentioned i should keep it to the girlfriend. i have a large aquarium, four foot long by sixteen inches wide and tall. i can manufacture a lid out of plexiglass. what would you recommmend as far as a heat source, cover for the snake(meaning what should i put in the tank). and what is a good food source,especially for the snake being so small. sorry guys, im a noob. i can take care of a dog, cow, or horse, but snakes are new to me.

[jlclub]

wait, is this the water snake that turns all black, or dark brown, and live all over here? if so, i never realized they were so pretty when they were young. i might change my mind if they are the same ones i remember catching as a kid.

[*Don't Mind Me*]

Nerodia Sipedon. Common water snake, harmless. I have one sitting about 2 feet to my left right now.

Cousin of the garter snake.


infernalis, your straightforwardness and accuracy is ridiculous. The good ridiculous

[infernalis]

hey thank you very much. ive already mentioned i should keep it to the girlfriend. i have a large aquarium, four foot long by sixteen inches wide and tall. i can manufacture a lid out of plexiglass. what would you recommmend as far as a heat source, cover for the snake(meaning what should i put in the tank). and what is a good food source,especially for the snake being so small. sorry guys, im a noob. i can take care of a dog, cow, or horse, but snakes are new to me.

I keep mine at room temps, as babies they will happily devour small minnows, guppies or just about any small fish.

as they grow, it's super easy to switch them to eating pinkie mice, my last water snake "Aqua" was a big time pinkie eater, all I had to do was rub a little trout on the pinkie and offer it on tongs.

I have some enclosure pictures, remind me and I will post them tomorrow, as it's 1:39 and I have to send the kids off to school in about 5 hours.