Found this on our front porch... ID please?

[K_Nelson]

Ok so, my mom called me down to see this weird looking "worm" on the front porch... and low and behold it was a tiny baby snake, maybe only 5-6" long.

We live near water, so the dark browns and banding down the body made me think possible cottonmouth/water moccasin. Can anyone get a positive ID on this little thing?

[Skittles1101]

What state do you live in?

[K_Nelson]

South Carolina

[Skittles1101]

It does look kind of like a cottonmouth...but could also be a northern water snake or a brown water snake...both of which are often mistaken for a cottonmouth.

[Skittles1101]

http://www.virginiaherpetologicalsoc...tonmouth06.jpg

[MonkeyShuttle]

My guess is water snake.

[ajmreptiles]

a water snake would be my guess as well, probably a brown. the head is the wrong shape to be a cotton mouth.

[John1982]

Nerodia sp, northern or banded - harmless.

[calmolly1]

Harmless, wrong head for a cotton mouth


Molly & Steve
0.1 Normal BP. PRECIOUCESS
0.1 Normal Columbian BCI. LUNA

[rlditmars]

Not a cottonmouth. Baby cottonmouths, like baby copperheads, have a neon yellow tip on their tail. They use it to attract prey but lose it as the grow and shed.