Snakes of the Lake Martin area

Lake Martin is blessed-- some would say cursed-- with an abundant variety of snakes. The vast majority of these are non-venomous, and pose no threat to anyone. Unfortunately, though, there are too many people in this area who still believe the backward-thinking notion that "the only good snake is a dead snake." To them, any snake in the water is a Cottonmouth, and snake with a hint of brown on its body is a Copperhead, and anything they saw that got away was a Rattlesnake.

The fact is, you could go years without seeing a venomous snake in this area; I've done it, and I actually try to find them! But the venomous snakes are far, far outnumbered by the non-venomous, so if you see a snake, chances are it is non-venomous.

Here are some pictures of the snakes in our area. Some of these pictures were taken at the lake, but most were not. If you have taken pictures of snakes at the lake, and you'd like to see them included here, please send them in! (And if you want to have the BEST reference books on hand, I recommend Reptiles and Amphibians of Eastern/Central North America, by Roger Conant and Joseph T. Collins, part of the Peterson Field Guide series. Also, don't overlook The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama by Dr. Robert H. Mount.)

Southern Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix Timber Rattlesnake, Croatalus horridus
So many unfortunate snakes have been killed because someone thought they were a Copperhead, when in fact they were not. Most Copperheads in our area have a pinkish background color, with these distinctive hourglass-shaped saddles on the dorsum. (Copperheads, like all pit vipers, also have elliptical pupils; non-venomous snakes have round pupils.)

The Southern Copperhead is valuable in an area that few know about-- the hunt for a cure for cancer. In the venom of the Southern Copperhead there is a protein, contortrostatin, that scientists have discovered halts metastasizing cancer cells in their tracks. So the next time you think about killing that snake that you think is a Copperhead, remember: you just might be killing the cure for cancer. (For more on the various medicinal benefits of some venoms, click here.)

The most common of our two rattlesnakes; the other is the Carolina Pygmy Rattlesnake. (You though I was going to say the Diamondback? While the Eastern Diamondback is found in Alabama, its range is much further south than the Lake Martin area. Disagree? Click on the link for the range map: link.)

 

 

 
Water Moccasin, Agkistrodon Piscivorous (juvenile) Water Moccasin, adult
Commonly known as the Cottonmouth. In some areas, they are quite plentiful. However, they are not nearly as plentiful as some would have you believe; many poor innocent water snakes have been killed because someone thought they were Water Moccasins, and far too often the reasoning given for that identification is "well, it was in the water, so it had to be a Water Moccasin." This is a BIG one... and no, it wasn't found around here. This picture was taken at a retention pond in Florida, though it was widely circulated following Hurricane Katrina as one of the many Moccasins that were taking shelter on oil rigs out in the Gulf.
Yellow-Bellied Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster Midland Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon
Commonly mistaken for the Cottonmouth, because it is dark, and a water snake. The most common of our water snakes, and therefore the one most commonly killed in a case of mistaken identity. Mistaken for the Water Moccasin because it's found in and around water, and mistaken for the Copperhead because it too has bands across the back, though these bands are not the hourglass-shaped bands of the Copperhead.
Southern Black Racer, Coluber constrictor Eastern Garter Snake, Thamnophis sirtalis
Whoever named these got it right; this snake is fast! Smooth-scaled and thus shiny black; note the white under the chin, and the big eyes. As harmless as it gets, though if you catch one, expect a bite; they are a bit defensive! That's GARTER, not GARDEN. Very common, and (along with its cousin, the Ribbon Snake) the only snake you'll see around here with dorsal stripes running the length of its body.
Gray Rat Snake, Elaphe obsoleta Corn Snake, Elaphe guttata
Common, and large; if you see a snake more than five feet long, there's a very good chance it's one of these. Arboreal, so they can be found in trees, rafters, attics, and so on; I've also found them: in canoes that were turned over on the bank, swimming, on the ground, and on rooftops. Completely harmless, they do their part in keeping the rodent population manageable. Cousin of the Gray Rat Snake, and absolutely beautiful. Not as commonly seen in the wild as the Gray Rat Snake, but they have become very common in the pet trade. If you want a pet snake, this is a good one to get, but PLEASE: buy only captive-born snakes, and only from reputable dealers!

 
Eastern Kingsnake, Lampropeltis getulus Eastern Hognose Snake, Heterodon platyrhinos
Actually, we are in the zone of intergradation for three variations of this snake: the Black Kingsnake, the Eastern Kingsnake and the Speckled Kingsnake. All are black, with some yellow pattern, though because of the intergradation, that pattern might be chainlike (as in the picture), speckled, speckly chained, or none at all.

These snakes used to be very common in our area; now, thanks to development, increased traffic, and other human causes, they are becoming quite rare. That is too bad, because not only do they eat rodents, they also are immune to the venoms of our pit vipers-- they EAT other snakes, including Rattlesnakes. Scientists are studying their immunity to snake venom, hoping to learn something that can be used to help humans; unfortunately, the rapid decline of the Kingsnake population is making it very difficult to continue those studies.

 Distinct because of their upturned noses, and because they are the only local snakes that can fan their neck into a hood (much like a Cobra) and because they will play dead if you annoy them too much. It's a good act, with one flaw-- if you roll the "dead" snake onto its belly, it will immediately flop over onto its back.

With their thick bodies, hooded necks, and aggressive bluffing, Hognose snakes look dangerous... but they are not. Remember to look for round pupils, a sure sign that the snake in question is not a viper.

 

 

 

 
Southern Ringneck Snake, Diadophus punctatus Scarlet Snake, Cemophora coccinea
Very common, and one of the first snakes that the curious child might catch "all by himself." Ringnecks are often found when turning over logs and rocks, raking leaves, and so on. A beautiful, though seldom seen, little snake. Similar colors to the deadly Coral Snake (which is not found in our area) and the Scarlet Kingsnake (which is found in our area, but is also seldom seen.) Coral Snakes have black snouts, and the red and yellow bands touch each other; on scarlet snakes and Scarlet Kingsnakes, the red and yellow bands never touch, and the snouts are red.
Southern Midland Brown Snake, Storeria dekayi Scarlet Kingsnake, Lampropeltis triangulum elapsoides
Fairly common but seldom seen, these small, secretive snakes eat slugs and worms. Completely harmless, unless you are a slug or worm, of course! Beautiful snakes, and our other Coral Snake mimic. (Notice that the red and yellow bands do not touch.) You might see one at night, especially after a heavy rain; it's more likely that you'll never see one at all. Too bad, because they are just beautiful... and, of course, completely harmless.
Stay tuned for more snakes, and better pictures! I'd love for every picture to have been taken at the lake, so if you have any, don't hesitate to send them in! growingup(at)savelakemartin.com