36 fow & 1/4 Mile Out; Didn't Expect This!

Came across this today, did not expect to find it this far from shore we were about 1/4 mile from shore in about 36 fow. I'm pretty sure it was headed to the other side of the lake. Just happened to have the camera out, we circled back to get a better shot but couldn't find it. I'm no snake expert but think it's a Cottonmouth since it's swimming on top of the water. If you look close you can see it's tail going under the water, it would easy go six plus feet stretched out.



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Something to think about for those that like to tube and swim out in the open lake.

Give me the paddle!!! Quick!!

Certainly looks like A cottonmouth. Hopefully a big blue or flathead got an easy meal.

In Canada fishing, had some friends come up in another boat, asking if we wanted to see some moose. We went to scanning the shoreline. He said "No! Out there!" pointing to open water. A cow and a calf had jumped in and swam across about 3/4 mile of open water.

That's cool!

Hope he didn't make it..........hope he drowned.

Not a snake expert but a big time snake owner and lover. Got a python and have had snakes both foreign and nearly all oklahoma native snakes at one time or another throughout my life. Grass snakes, milk snakes, chicken snakes, hog nose, rattle snakes, copperhead, cotton mouth.... list goes on. You name it I prolly had it at one time or another growing up.

That's not a cotton mouth. Head is too narrow, tail too skinny and coloring is wrong. Probably one of the ringed water snake families.

Fishing trip on Tenkiller 3 weeks ago was perch fishing all the way back in a cove under some tree branches. I'm sitting on the back of the boat with my feet in the water and a buddy in the front doing the same thing. A cotton mouth pokes it's head up about 3 feet away. I chased it up to the front of boat with the tip of my fishing pole poking him. Real quiet like telling no one till the last second... He was Mad as all get out by the time he got to the front and my buddy up front.... never saw a fat boy move so fast :)

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If you had done that to me I probably would have fed you to the snake

That buddy grew up across the street from me at Lake Eufaula. We've known each other since we was 9 or 10 and he's done allot worse to me. It was in good fun :)

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Definitely not a cottonmouth- but I have never seen that pattern on a snake before. Curious if anyone has identified that beauty?

Northern Water Snake. Page 4. ...... Oklahoma - What Snake Is That

Or a Ratsnake.... http://www.oksnakes.org/index.cfm?id=6&all=1

Snakes are so hard to identify of pics, would need an expert to be sure.

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I agree- and when they are wet the colors and patterns seem so different than the dry examples pictured.

I can't figure it out at all. It swims on top like a pit viper and although the pattern isn't exactly a moccasin, it's not far off from some I found pics of today. Maybe a western ratsnake but otherwise the pattern really doesn't fit anything that I've seen. Maybe its the rare Copper headed rattlemouth cottontail?

They have got in my Ranger before lol EB

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Originally Posted by Eufaula boy

They have got in my Ranger before lol EB

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Back when I had my Ranger, the 6' black snake that lives in the barn, and keeps it rodent free, decided to see what that contraption was parked next to its home.
Unbeknownst to it, the contraption known as a boat started moving down the road, so he decided to take refuge in one of the compartments that is open to the hull.
Later that morning decided to get an anchor out, opened up and saw it curled up in the corner.
Scared the heck out of me! But, I didn't let the wife know as she is deathly afraid of snakes and would have abandoned ship.
Later that morning on the way in, saw his head peek out by my right knee where the wiring heads to the bow, but that's where he stayed.
When we got home, I went to the store and got a box of moth balls and scattered a few around. I'd read that repels snakes.
So, that's my snake in the boat story.

Believe it's that northern water snake. Have seen some with similar markings in Kaw this year but not quite as dark colored. They get a lot bigger than the normal water snake and they are not shy. Had them swim out to the boat and I would hit them on the head with my rod tip. Most water snakes would take off these would go under and come right back up. Seen 1 cottonmouth up here and that was over 40 years ago but as the old saying goes, when you see a cottonmouth you will know what it is.

I sent the photo over to ODWC and here is there answer;

https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net...b9&oe=57CF44BE

Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) That is a black rat snake. They are excellent swimmers

Rat snake / water snake wouldn't matter if you stepped in the middle of him in the dark. Fella would have to change britches.

Dennis - When that critter peaks its head out of the live well DON'T BOTHER telling me what is behind me/ I will fill my britches AND abandon ship in the same instance.

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Originally Posted by cricket george

Dennis - When that critter peaks its head out of the live well DON'T BOTHER telling me what is behind me/ I will fill my britches AND abandon ship in the same instance.

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Hmmmm, I'm developing a plan......

You don't get to keep my rods and boxes of jigs until I get back in the boat:yikes