Snake

It looks like a rattle snake depending on where it was found !

May be a water snake. Totally non-venomous. Too bad it appears to be dead. :( Would bite only in self-defense if you actually picked it up and harassed it. In Maryland, there are only 2 potentially dangerous snakes (ie: venomous)- the Timber Rattlesnake and the Copperhead. Both of these have obviously large triangular heads, with "pits" near the nostrils, and slits for pupils- easily noticed without getting too close. Even these two species however are not known to attack without provocation.