I think it's a mudsnake. Harmless, if that's what it is.

I'm not an expert on snake bellies, by any means, but this sure looks like a mud snake to me, too, Kate. Whatever it is, it doesn't resemble anything venomous, and it's sad, though not surprising, to see it looking like this. It just wanted to scare everyone away, I'm sure, but that plan obviously backfired. Looks like a pretty small snake, too. I'll post a link later on the Reptile forum and see if we can get a more positive ID from a real herping expert.

Marcia

Comparison:

Looks close

And yet, somewhat different....

Marcia

Poor thing, it looks completely harmless. What a waste

It was a Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata). They are harmless. I understand that most people are afraid of snakes and act aggressively out of fear, but I wonder how often we actually stop and think about which animal is being aggressive in these situations (we humans can be quite aggressive when we feel threatened...and we are quick to feel very threatened even in the majority of cases when there is no threat).

Thank you, Wayne! I had no idea what the underside of a BWS looked like. Now I know. When I saw the comparison photo above, I was pretty sure it wasn't the mud snake we originally guessed. I reckon I need to know what our snakies look like from beneath...though to be sure, when you are seeing that side, the snake is usually not a threat any longer, if it ever was to start with.

I knew I could count on you or one of the others from the Reptile forum to let us know on this one. Poor little snakey guy. So many people just don't understand, sadly.

Thanks again, and I will remember this pattern!

Marcia

Yes, it was a harmless Watersnake. I always wonder why, if someone is afraid of a snake "raising up", they would get close enough to kill and chop up the victim. If it has been a venomous snake, getting that close would put the person at a great risk of being bitten.

So sad, but I do wonder about people that kill thinks instead of just leaving them alone.

That sux. I SO hate to see that! We love our snakes around here. My hunny is startled now and again but he'll come to me for an id before chopping ones head off :'( RIP lil buddy

Well, I was having a good day until I saw that pic.
The poor thing.
*sniff