Looks as though it could be an Eastern Hognose snake. Don’t know for sure. If it is, they will try to threaten you by hissing, enlarging their body, and maybe even by making a hood appear at their neck. If all of this fails to scare you off, they will roll over and play dead. They will even remain limp if you pick them up.
With the definite stripes, I would guess that it is actually an Eastern King Snake. They don’t live this far north so I don’t have as much experience with them.
I’ve read that the Hognose snakes in Wisconsin don’t usually play dead. This has been my experience with them as they continue to attempt to bite you (nonvenomous) after you pick them up. They will also generally leave a few tiny teeth in your skin with the shallow bites they inflict.
It’s so hard to tell. I looked up the WDNR list of WI snakes and I couldn’t peg this one. The area is swampy so that may also count against the Hognose…but who knows.
This is a northern brown water snake. We have more than we need at our cottage on the Big Slough. They are quite aggressive and will bite the heck out of you if given the chance. Nonpoisoness thank god. They are also known as Sloughfoots nemisis.
This is a northern brown water snake. We have more than we need at our cottage on the Big Slough. They are quite aggressive and will bite the heck out of you if given the chance. Nonpoisoness thank god. They are also known as Sloughfoots nemisis.
If it was near water, the Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon sipedon is probably correct. From my field guide, the important descriptors are “Dark markings wider than lighter spaces between them, the later usually less than 2.5 scales wide”. Good id Sloughfoot!
Thanks to all responders. The finder asked if I had a clue what this snake was and I hadn’t the foggiest. Thanks for the help I will drop an email to the picture taker.
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