I can't figure out the snake, but may I ask where you were? 8D

I'm in Florida. :3

It looks like the Brown Water Snake, but don't quote me on that. =3

Maybe a Banded Water Snake?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/423895.....N00/465460012/

Looking at CandyCane's comment, and the little article I read about it being mainly out at night make me think that's definitely the species!

Amusingly, it's non venomous, and if you piss it off, it just lashes out and covers you in some nasty stank.

Absolutely beautiful snake!

Could be a corn snake. The color and pattern isn't too far off, but without a closer look I would't bet on it.

there are only 6 venemous snakes in florida, here's a good site for herp ID i find: http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetolog.....e/Venomsnk.htm
that pic isn't consistent with the most likely venemous suspect, cottonmouth (A. piscivorus)
i agree with previous statements claiming water snake, there are tons of those though
and their coloring varies so much moving north and south in the state
juvenile southern banded water snake (N. fasciata) is my best guess, here's an adult: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2333.....24226180d7.jpg
they are fish eaters, nicknamed the false cottonmouth because they share the same habitat, coloring and snappy attitude and because of the similarities alot of these harmless herps are pointlessly killed

Did you find a manatee?

Definitely not a corn snake, my first guess was a (young) water snake and I think I'm right. Definitely looks thin from this angle too.

Hey there!

I'm not sure what the snake in the photo is, but I am familiar with all venomous snake species that live in Florida. This one is not venomous.

Also, head shape and eye shape do not warn of venom in any animal. That's just a myth. Plenty of slender headed, round pupiled deadlies out there ^^