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Snakes Alive!
We found a very good number and variety of snakes this year. We found many of the expected species: Rough Green, Rat, Racer, Ringneck, Ribbon,
Banded Water, Redbelly Water, Eastern King, and Cottonmouth. Some of the less commonly encountered nonvenomous species we found included
an unusually patterned Scarlet King, a Glossy Crayfish, several Brown Water, a Redbelly, and a Worm. We found two Eastern Kingsnakes mating.
The largest snake we found was 55 inch
long Redbelly Water. This specimen was by far the largest one I have ever seen. Randy and Gregg succeeded in capturing it. We also found DOR a
nearly unlined Garter, a red-color phase dead Garter, and one DOR Mud Snake. One common species that we did not see was the Corn Snake.
We found all the species of venomous pit vipers: Cottonmouth, Copperhead, Pigmy Rattle, Canebrake Rattle, and Eastern Diamondback Rattle (DOR).
I believe the Pigmy Rattle was the first one we have found in our eight outings in the forest. The only venomous species we did not find was the
Coral.
Joey came down specifically hoping to find a Rainbow Snake. Unfortunately, he did not see one, but he did find a large Banded Water Snake. On their
way out of the forest, Win and Hope saw a snake crossing the highway which they think was a Rainbow. They stopped, but it disappeared into the roadside
vegetation before they could get to it.
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