We live in NW Louisiana and found a snake in our pool yesterday and would like to find out what kind it is. It was about 12 inches long and the circumference was a little bigger than a pencil. It was dark on top with faint markings of darker spots (diamonds?) The markings were so small and faint that it was hard to tell what they were but they ran all the way down the body. The snake was white underneath. It reminded me of a small rattlesnake but doesn't look like any of the pictures I've seen. The closest picture was that of a western cottonmouth adult but when I found pictures of a young one, they didn't look anything like it. The tail didn't have any thing unusual about it and when we checked inside the mouth (after it died of course) It appeared to have teeth but were retracted so I couldn't see them but felt them with a screwdriver.
It sort of coiled up and when a stick was brought near it's head, it poised and struck. Any ideas?
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ID snake found in our pool
Replies (7)
Post a picture if you can, but if not look up a picture of a diamond back water snake. They are all over that area and seem to fit the dicription. scott
Dead Snake. They can be found all over the US in the yards of people who dont like them. 
You say the belly was white?..not one marking?
-Mike
i don't remember any markings on the belly. i could be wrong but i'm pretty sure there weren't.
The snake was scared of you, thats why it struck at the stick you where ignorantly pokeing in its face, its a snake, thats what they do. Sounds like a diamond back water snake, harmless, harmless, harmless. Its actualy an endangered and protected species in some states. Good job. Skinner
why do you assume that i was attacking the snake? it was in our pool skimmer and obviously having trouble and i was trying to get it out to transfer it to the pond across the street. i'm sure there are alot of people that do what you accused us of doing but you're wrong. you need to start looking for the good in people instead of the bad.
you owe me an apology but i don't expect i'll ever get one for trying to help the snake. i am very thankful for all of the other nice people who have posted a reply to my message. have a great day!
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