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An all black snake is probably just that - a black rat snake. There are a number of non-venemous water snakes that look alot like their venemous cousins. As far as water mocassins go, unless someone up there purchased one and released it, you're pretty far north of their natural range. They only come up to the lower portion of Virginia (my home state) with any frequency and barely to the middle of the state at all. To get information on the snakes that occur in your area, contact your local Fish & Wildlife office - many of them now offer pamphlets or booklets on local wildlife, including snakes and other reptiles.
Dianne
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