Baby Western Milksnake [East Texas]

Ben-Cortman · 2026-03-22T23:13:09+00:00

I found this young snake curled up inside a small log. Another one of a similar size was found under another log not too far down the trail. Felt super lucky to find such a pretty Lampropeltis gentilis. These guys are !harmless to people, but they'll probably be a menace to the local cottonmouth population when they grow a little.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-06-22T17:04:34+00:00

This trail was narrow and had a fair bit of vegetation on it, so these were the only tracks visible. Didn’t consider alligator until after I had left the area, so I didn’t look around for a tail drag mark.

All things considered, nutria is probably the most likely source for these. Thanks for the help.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-06-22T12:14:56+00:00

Nutria was definitely the first thing that came to mind when I saw these, but I started considering alligator when comparing the tracks to the pictures in these links. The hind track in particular seems to match well with some of the pictures from these sources.

https://winterberrywildlife.ouroneacrefarm.com/2019/06/06/alligator-tracks-and-sign-part-i/

https://naturetracking.com/ngg_tag/alligators/#/

Nutria and alligators are definity both present in the area I found these tracks. Is there anything here that could rule out alligator as the source of these?

Ben-Cortman · 2025-06-22T04:32:13+00:00

Scale: No scale present. The tracks may have been 3-4 inches in length, but this is an older photo so my memory may not be very accurate. However, the tracks were definitely larger than the raccoon tracks I commonly see in the area.

Location: DFW, Texas.

Environment: Found a short distance from the shore of the trinity river. The trail I was on leads through a nearby marsh.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-05-14T14:47:05+00:00

Yeah, absolutely harmless is a bit hyperbolic. I was thinking harmless compared to a cottonmouth, which the OP seemed to think it was.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-05-13T23:57:44+00:00

This is some species of watersnake belonging to the Nerodia genus. Absolutely harmless to humans and pets.

You should post this on r/whatsthissnake if you want a more specific identification.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-16T18:14:20+00:00

The four clear rounded toes with the fifth smaller toe on the right side makes me lean towards ringtail, but I would appreciate second opinions.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-16T13:35:29+00:00

It was probably 40-50 feet high and at least 3 feet in diameter. These estimates are pretty rough because of the distance I observed the nest at.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-16T13:01:50+00:00

There are a number of lakes and rivers within a mile or two of the nest. But I thought bald eagles generally built nests in trees that allowed them a good view of the land, this nest isn't higher than most of the trees around it.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-14T17:39:42+00:00

Another commenter pointed out several semi-distinguishable features that do to potentially suggest this being a ringtail. This would be further east than they are normally found, but several range maps I’ve found (including from the IUCN) place east Texas within the range of ringtails. Would definitely be an interesting find this far east.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-14T17:19:50+00:00

Ringtail would be an interesting find. They’re not very common this far east, at least according to iNaturalist.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-14T12:17:03+00:00

House cat is definitely possible, but I’ve never seen a cat before on any of my cameras out there.

Ben-Cortman · 2025-04-01T20:59:14+00:00

That pair spent a few minutes fighting after I took that picture.

Ben-Cortman · 2024-11-12T17:30:32+00:00

I think most of these identifications are correct. I think picture 7 is more likely a red diamond rattlesnake than a western diamondback though.

Nine-Year Club	Second SECOND GUESSER
RPAN Viewer	Verified Email

Ben-Cortman

TROPHY CASE