The thick body argues for a moccasin. The long, slender tail argues against. However, the main problem with it's being a moccasin - or any type of pit viper at all - is the slender head and thick neck. All pit vipers, which includes all venomous snakes in the country except for the coral snake in FL and southern coastal regions, have a thick, triangular head and thin neck, which this snake obviously doesn't. The triangle is to accommodate the glands which hold the venom. Outside the coral, that's the most defining characteristic. We live on top of a mountain in 3 acres of woods and we have endless rodents - mice, voles, chipmunks, squirrels - you name it. We love our snakes, our allies in keeping their populations down. We have an amateur herpetologist who also lives on the mountain, so, when we do turn up the odd rattler, we just call Bill to come pick it up. The venomous snakes are also more interested in rodents and other small prey and any contact with humans is totally accidental. We're careful, as I have been since I was a kid. I've been coexisting with them in the woods for a long time. I'm just very conscious of where I place my hands and feet...