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I found him/her in south central New Jersey ....can anyone tell me what it is ?
thanks Matt

>>I found him/her in south central New Jersey ....can anyone tell me what it is ?
>> thanks Matt
>>
>>

more or less reminds me of a red-bellied water snake
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PHWyvern

Yes,....that's a Red-bellied Water Snake(Nerodia erythrogaster)

they range along the eastern US, with the exception of Florida.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

I didn't look at that species because it not on NJ native list...
Matt

According to some range maps, Delaware, and extreme southern NJ is their northernmost range,.....so I'm guessing it wasn't popular enough in the state to list it.......this happens from time to time.....their belly coloration can also be quite varied.

best regards, ~Doug
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"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

The problem is that the only species of water snake (Nerodia) in Jersey is the northern - N. s. sipedon. It does look weird to me, but unless it's an escapee, it's just a really dark (and light bellied) northern water snake.

http://www.state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snakes.pdf

Billy
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Phillyherping

I know this snake...just can't recall the exact name. The eye placement on its head isn't like that of other water snakes, that is what is standing out to me. Try posting a picture of it on the water snake forum on here. I'm sure someone on there will know exactly what it is.

The snake in question is without a doubt a fully grown Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster (Redbelly water snake), clearly not a Northern or any other Nerodia for that matter. I have been keeping variations of this species and other Nerodia for years and couldn't be more sure of the identification. Yes it is very much darker than a usual erythrogaster, but being so far north the increase in skin melanin would greatly increase its efficiency warming up in the sun. In fact most snakes found in more northern latitudes will be darker in color for this reason. Also, most adult water snakes are born with gorgeous vibrant patterns which generally fade greatly later in life, this individual being so dark makes its pattern totally invisible. Gorgeous specimen by the way.

redbelly water snakes DO NOT range in new jersey, that is clearly a northern water snake. anyone that knows northern water snakes, knows they're extremely variable.. i've seen them from a vibrant red/yellow/black mixture, to dull gray, to brown, to dark black. The belly patterns are also extremely variable.

it's a northern water snake (nerodia sipedon) no doubt.. i've seen many that looked like that.