Most snakes (even harmless ones like Storeria) will flatten their heads and bodies when they feel threatened so they will appear more intimidating. This often confuses people who have been taught to look for the "triangular head" when trying to determine if a snake is venomous or not. Your best bet is just to get a good field guide to help you identify snakes in your area.

Here's a shot of a garter doing the same thing: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3412/3492665348_b1a81e939d.jpg

Hope that helps.
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- Natalie
(San Francisco Bay Area)

[ Hide Replies ]

• Found in NW PA.. Need help - Jess Jones, Tue Jun 9 18:05:22 2009
• second pic of it. - Jess Jones, Tue Jun 9 18:07:23 2009
• RE: second pic of it. - chrish, Tue Jun 9 21:48:30 2009
• RE: second pic of it. - Jess Jones, Tue Jun 9 22:25:46 2009
• RE: second pic of it. - Steve_Craig, Tue Jun 9 23:12:29 2009
• I see redbelly... - foxturtle, Fri Jun 19 23:33:06 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - chrish, Tue Jun 9 18:16:31 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - Jess Jones, Tue Jun 9 21:02:25 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - Fish_Demon, Tue Jun 9 22:01:29 2009
• comparison - CrimsonKing, Wed Jun 10 04:30:41 2009
• RE: comparison - Greg Longhurst, Wed Jun 10 04:37:24 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - cousinmike, Wed Jun 10 18:56:14 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - Joe_M, Thu Jun 11 11:08:09 2009
• RE: Found in NW PA.. Need help - cousinmike, Thu Jun 11 16:07:05 2009
• Thanks everyone.. - Jess Jones, Thu Jun 11 22:17:51 2009