Northern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Native to North America, ranging throughout the eastern and central United States as well as southeastern Canada, inhabiting regions from Maine down to the Carolinas and west to Colorado.
Look up Northern Watersnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Conservation
Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, with stable and widespread populations across its native range, though localized threats include habitat destruction and intentional killing by humans due to misidentification.
Physical Description
Features a stout body with a background coloration of grey, brown, or reddish-brown, overlaid with dark crossbands on the neck and alternating blotches along the back and sides. Scales are prominently keeled, and the head is somewhat distinct from the neck with rounded snout characteristics.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured appears to be a subadult or small adult, roughly 45 to 60 cm in length. Typical adults range from 66 to 106 cm, with females generally growing larger than males.
Habitat
Found primarily in or near freshwater environments such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and swamps. They prefer slow-moving or still waters with accessible basking sites like logs, rocks, or overhanging branches.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of fish and amphibians such as frogs and tadpoles, though they may occasionally consume small mammals, birds, or crayfish. They are active foragers that hunt both in the water and along the shoreline.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous species, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Mating typically occurs in the spring, and females produce litters ranging from 8 to over 50 young in late summer.
Look-alikes
Frequently confused with venomous cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus) due to overlapping range and aquatic habits, as well as various rat snakes or milk snakes. Distinguished by round pupils, a lack of facial pits, and a distinct pattern of alternating bands and blotches rather than solid dark coloration.
Conservation Status
Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, with stable and widespread populations across its native range, though localized threats include habitat destruction and intentional killing by humans due to misidentification.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in controlling amphibian and fish populations in aquatic ecosystems. They are often misunderstood and wrongly persecuted due to their defensive posturing and superficial resemblance to dangerous species.
Notable Features
Exhibits strong aquatic adaptations including the ability to flatten its body when threatened, and often releases a foul-smelling musk and blood from the cloaca when handled. Highly adept at both swimming and diving.