BROOKVILLE, Ind. — Amber Conley and Brad Walton got quite the surprise while boating on Brookville Lake in Union County Indiana.
Late Sunday afternoon, Brad was giving Amber a boating lesson off Quakertown Marina when they saw what initially looked like a long piece of floating driftwood.
When they got closer, they quickly realized it was not a giant piece of wood.
"He leaned over and said 'it's a snake eating a huge fish!' We didn't believe him so he grabbed the buoy hook and scooped it out," Conley said. "It was dead and stiff and smelled awful!"
According to Conley, the snake was nearly five feet long.
"If we could have stretched it out, it would have been almost as tall as me and I'm 5'2," Conley said.
She believes the fish's sharp fins were caught in its mouth and it likely was unable to swallow the fish or spit it back out.
As of early Tuesday afternoon, her Facebook post had more than 3,000 shares and 1,500 comments. Some people think the picture is fake but Conley is standing her ground.
"I never dreamt it would go viral, and people were saying it was photoshopped and not in Indiana," Conley said. "I uploaded the pic with the exact coordinates where it was taken."
Conley owns a shop near the lake and said she's worried people will see the picture and pick a different lake for their day out.
"I'm catching heck for people not wanting to come here now," she said. "I pay for a buoy here and I love it, snakes and all!"
Despite her love for the water, in her original Facebook post, she wrote "Side note: I'm never swimming in the lake again."
Can you really blame her?
Angela Hatke, the Digital Engagement and Publicity Manager at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, said she reached out to the zoo's reptile team to see if they can ID it.
"From the photo, our reptile team thinks it’s a Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon (most likey). They are non-venomous and usually smaller, 3’ total length is about average," Hatke said.
"They will stay well away from you in the water so go boating stress-free!"
READ MORE
7-foot snake found slithering in man's couch
Plane forced to reroute after passengers spot a snake on the aircraft
Maryland man found dead in home with more than 100 snakes
-
Man killed in shooting on Indy’s northeast side
One person died after being shot in the 2400 block of East 38th Street on the northeast side of Indianapolis Saturday night.
Thanksgiving turkey giveaway helps hundreds in need
On Saturday, New Direction Church held its annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway at Arlington Middle School, and hundreds lined the streets.
IMPD investigating after victim arrives at Riley Hospital with a gunshot injury
The victim was reported to be in critical condition. IMPD says the age of the victim, or the shooting occurred is not yet known.
No. 2 Ohio State takes control in the 2nd half and runs over No. 5 Indiana 38-15
The Hoosiers had their chance to beat the Buckeyes for the first time since 1988 but were hurt by special teams mistakes and an Ohio State defense that sacked Kurtis Rourke five times.
