Snake ID

[piker56]

I was at Batsto today and this snake swam by the canoe. Can anyone help with the ID?
Thanks,
Greg

[GermanG]

Looks to me like an Eastern Kingsnake

[TeeGate]

Nice photo of the lake and the snake together! I have never viewed that snake in the pines.


Guy

[woodjin]

I believe what you have there is a pine snake. While it is commonly believed that they are not prone to water. I have witnessed them on two occassions in the water and one of those times it just sitting on the water motionless (very odd to see).

Jeff

[tom m]

I told my baby brother it was a pine snake but would he believe me ??? Nooooo! Guess he got ticked cuz I out fished em LOL !

[manumuskin]

if i didn't know this was taken at batsto lake I'd say it was a california kingsnake.The coloring (black and white) and the pattern say cal king.the eastern native king has buch more black and a faint chain pettern.The pattern appears much too regular to be a pine and pines are brown and white but the water could make it appear darker.It also has the pattern of the northern water snake but wtare snakes are generally dark brown or flat black with brick red bands.I have come to the conclusion it's a california kingsnake that has gotten fed up with the earthquakes and Arnold Swartznegger.This is a male snake and it has obviously seen pictures on the internet of the beautiful female coastal plains milksnakes that reside in the NJ pine barrens and has caught a ride across country on a produce truck and is now swimming the lake looking for Carly Coastal who he had been chatting with since finding her Facebook page last summer.You will know this is a cal kingsnake if upon grasping it's tail it shouts "Gnarly Dude" before turning around and bites you on the hand.If it doesn't do this then it is just a plain south jersey "wet snake" and is best left alone.
Al

[dragoncjo]

Eastern Kingsnake...hot day like that it probably needed to cool down...they take to the water often this time of year.

[bobpbx]

I'm staying out of this one. I can't tell from the photo.

[piker56]

...You will know this is a cal kingsnake if upon grasping it's tail it shouts "Gnarly Dude" before turning around and bites you on the hand.If it doesn't do this then it is just a plain south jersey "wet snake" and is best left alone.
Al

Aren't all snakes best left alone? Not that I was scared or anything like that

[dogg57]

http://sousaweb.com/news/Images/KingSnake.jpg
or
http://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/somsept.htm

Forgot Great photo!

[Mts83]

Great shot, I can't help with the ID... But I will say that I was at Batsto as well yesterday. Along the Mullica up to well above Constable, then down the Batsto all the way along the western side. I saw several canoes, kayaks, and a boat out there too, I probably saw you.

[piker56]

Great shot, I can't help with the ID... But I will say that I was at Batsto as well yesterday. Along the Mullica up to well above Constable, then down the Batsto all the way along the western side. I saw several canoes, kayaks, and a boat out there too, I probably saw you.

If you saw 2 guys in a blue canoe, constantly belittling and insulting each other, that was me and my brother.

[tom m]

If one guy don't know nothin then does two brothers add up to less than know nothin?

[swwit]

I've probably seen a hundred kings in the Barrens over the years but that one looks more like it's better looking relatives from the Carolina's. It could be that the water is making it look a little better but the yellow appears wider than normal for N.J. kings.

[piker56]

I asked a few other people I know and the consensus seems to be Kingsnake. I was surprised the picture came out as I'm still trying to learn how to use the camera, so I appreciate the kind words. Some flowers were just starting to poke up. I'm looking forward to trying some pictures of them a little later in the spring.
Greg