Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Howdy folks,

Found this pretty guy in my yard near a wetlands in Eastern Massachusetts. I think it's a Northern Water Snake, but I'm nothing more than a casual reptile fan.

http://www.battisti.us/stuff/aDSCF0009.jpg
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I'd certainly be interested to hear what some more experienced enthusiasts think. He was at least 4 feet stretched out basking on our front steps. Hey, if he can take care of some of these chipmunks, I'm happy...

Steve

Assuming it's native, and not someone's escaped or released pet, that's indeed a Northern Water snake, Nerodia s. sipedon. And a pretty one, too! Sorry, but (s)he won't help you get rid of the chipmunks; in the wild they only eat aquatic animals (fish, frogs, etc. ) .
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MichaelB

Hi Steve -

First, capture the snake and set it up in a nice cage. Then kill a chipmunk. Rub a fish or frog on the dead chipmunk. Offer the scented chipmunk to the snake on tongs. Usually works. I actually keep a "pet" water snake that eats rats and mice.

It’s not that water snakes never eat mammals in the wild, but fish and frogs are their preferred and primary diet. From the looks of it, you have a body of water nearby.

-Joan

That should work. It may, in time get to the point where it takes unscented chipmunks. At that point, you might think you can turn it loose, & have a chipmunk controlling water snake. Not so. Nerodia has nether venom nor constricting powers to subdue prey. A live chipmunk would most likely tear the snake a new one.

~~Greg~~

It is rather easy to get waters to take unscented prey. All you have to do is feed them fish time and time again in their water bowl. Eventually, when you put something in the bowl they start to expect food. You can put a f/t mouse in there and move it around with tongs and most will take it right away. Always worked for me. Worked more often than scenting too.
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Andy Maddox
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The Reptizone

"A yellow ribbon instead of a swastika. Nothin' proper about ya propaganda. Fools follow rules when the set commands ya. Said it was blue when ya blood was red. That's how ya got a bullet blasted through ya head"- Rage Against the Machine

100 percent sure its a northern water snake

Brandon