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Posted by Ann on July 25, 2002 at 15:14:26:
Date: First week in July '02:(65-70 degrees F, clear day around 5-6 p.m.) In Oneonta, NY (Otsego County), while walking parallel to the road about 6-8 feet into the pasture (70+ acres of pasture [combination of dry grassland, some soggy wet areas from natural springs, gentle mountains, and a 1-4 foot wide creek/Across the road is a tiny pine/oak forest and a small lake]) which had just been mowed for the first time in many (12) years from a height of 3 feet to 6 inches high, I (along with my dog) encountered an unusually patterned snake heading straight for the us. It was about 10 feet into the pasture moving perpendicular to the road and toward the road. I immediately pulled my dog away and stopped in my tracks. The snake's pattern stood out distinctly against its own background coloring and the grasses. It was about 26-30 inches long, *very* stout body (2 to 2 1/2 inch diameter) throughout (not just as if it ate a meal and the meal was lodged in one place), a definite taupe (grayish brown) color background, chocolate brown (like the regular Hershey bar) saddle- or hourglass-shaped blotches, each of which was surrounded by 1/8 inch clearly defined black borders. There was no fading or blending of the colors of the blotches or of the borders. This was a sharp and distinct pattern. The blotches (not bands) went down the length of the snake and did not extend much at all down the sides. Two or three rows of the same but smaller blotches were on each side. It also had a dark stripe or two on the side of its face/head that looked as though it (they) met at the back of the neck. I did not see the very end of the tail as it was under grass, but even the tail looked short and fat. From my side and top view from 2 feet away (maybe less), I did see the head, but I do not remember if the pupil was round or vertical. I did not know that the pupil was an area to look at for ID purposes. I also did not think of its possibly being a rattlesnake, although I knew that it was a highly unusual snake to see in our area. I remember just wanting to remember that very sharp, distinct pattern and the snake's stocky build, despite its short length. The snake just stopped when it saw us, and it was probably extended close to its full length. It didn't try to coil, and I didn't hear a rattle or see the tail come out of the grass. It did keep its head up about four inches off the ground at all times and never lost eye contact with me. When I got home, I found a piece of paper and drew the irregular shape of the blotches and labeled the colors. Then, I went on the Web and used an interactive snake ID system. I think I may have seen an EM rattlesnake. Is this possible? There are only two known New York EM populations, and they are in the Syracuse/Rochester area about 100 miles away. I do not believe what I saw was an Eastern Milk Snake because the Milk snake's blotches went quite far down its sides, and it's too thin compared to its length. Let me know what you think. Thanks.
