{see Exhibit A}
Genus: Nerodia
Species: Erythrogaster?
This gray thing will get your attention. On top of its suspicious color and locale (in/near water), it can flatten its head to appear viperous when feeling disrespected. This gets it mistaken for a cottonmouth
Works well unless shotguns are involved
If you are unconvinced, note the eye — it is round and lacks the slit of its viperous associates. You may have to view it a few more times to be sure, and even then you may have doubts
Note — the absence of venom does not make it cuddly or less interesting. It has a bit of a temper, personally witnessed. Don’t hug it
But do enjoy it for having interrupted your business
On a related note — once I picked up a baby speckled kingsnake (lampropeltis getula holbrooki). It bit my finger and latched on and dangled there a good half hour before it got bored and dropped off. Mom was a good sport — she remained calm throughout the event. Outwardly