By Jillian Farkas, DNR Wildlife Division Through generous support from DTE Energy, the DNR is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Michigan’s Endangered Species Act from now through September. Each week, an important species will be featured. With binoculars in tow, I scouted the seemingly calm water in front of me. Slowly, and without a ripple, a sea monster-like head began to emerge from the water. With a duckweed disguise, the snake remained still, repeatedly flicking its tongue in my direction. To confirm identification of the species, I lunged towards the snake with long tongs, but it was just out of reach. Reacting to the threat of capture, the snake swiftly swam into the surrounding vegetation and escaped. The copperbelly water snake is an exceptionally rare species in Michigan. These snakes are found in two distinct population segments in the United States - the north and south. The northern population remains federally listed as threatened, and its range includes sou...
