Snakes by the Pond? What Kind?

Your local DNR might be helpful in identifying what species it was. The good news for you is that there are only 3 venemous snakes in PA - 2 rattlers and the copperhead. None would be found by or heading into water. Possible it could have been a hognose, as they like to eat frogs. Most likely, though, it was a Northern Water Snake. NOT to be confused with the Cottonmouth which is not found in PA. Harmless unless you area fish or frog or if you corner it and it's trying to defend itself. The younger ones are lighter in color.

As with all snakes, they are all around us. They like to go unnoticed and fulfill a very important function in the ecosystem. They will always try to get away from a human or anything larger than them. They aren't dumb and don't seek out fights! Don't have many vermin around your property? You can probably than a black rat snake for keeping the population in check. And if he lives his life the way he wants to, you'll never see him unless you go poking for him.

We live in MD and copperheads are pretty prevalent. We visit Cunningham Park and come across them sunning on rocks in the water. They can be light in color and are poisonous. They also love water. I wouldn't search it out. They like to be left alone and will most likely stay hidden :)

Without a picture or more descriptors, identifying a snake is difficult without the details. Did it go into the water, was it on the ground, did it have pink eyes and pinkish white scales(indicative of an albino)...

This is a resource of common snakes in your area:
http://www.paherps.com/herps/snakes

Hope this helps.

Here is a list of snakes that live in PA. I have to say in all the years I lived in the Poconos (in the woods not the urban areas) I have never seen any rattle snakes. There are those that live in the water and I think are poisonous, but I think they are dark brown or black. I wonder if someone didn’t want their pet and let it go, I would place a call to animal control J. in case it is one that shouldn’t be there.
http://www.paherps.com/herps/snakes

Here in south Florida people let pythons out into the wild and they are taking over and damaging the eco system. http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/tech/science/environment/s...

I was watching Billy the Exterminator and he said snakes hate garlic. He mixed up a batch of garlic water and put it in a sprayer and sprayed around the property. It might help to sprinkle some garlic powder around the area to keep them away from the house.

does it matter what kind?! It was a SNAKE!!!! Ok, so I am a total freak about snakes. I am petrified of them.

About a month ago I came home to one of our cats chewing on a gardner snake on our front porch. Luckily my husband was home so I called him from my cell and asked him to come get the damn thing so I could come inside :)

Sorry, can't help you in identifying it tho. I J. know you are much braver than I am to even consider going back. Maybe take a long stick with you so you can shoo it away if it comes close. I don't know.

Whiteish: that makes M. initially think you J. saw its belly. However, copperheads are venomous and could be "whiteish" (light tan). All snakes can swim.