"Gareee©" wrote:

Looks like we have an unwelcome guest.. it looks like a foot or so long
northern water snake.

Here is the book on northern water snakes:

Northern Water Snakes are extremely helpful to people. They control
populations of smaller animals, such as mice. Unfortunately, they are
often mistaken for Copperheads and Cottonmouths (also called Water
Moccasins, which don't even live in the same area), and killed. If you
see a snake, it is best to leave it alone. The color patter of a
Northern Water Snake can be similar to a Copperhead, even though water
snakes are much more common. Never kill a snake without good reason,
since they are so important to our environment. When it have cleaned up
the mice and other prey, they will move on.

http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/StratfordL.../northern_wate
r_snake.htm
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