Northern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: N. sipedon
Eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast and west to the Great Plains.
Look up Northern Watersnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: N. sipedon
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern. Common and widespread throughout its natural range, facing local threats mainly from habitat loss and human persecution.
Physical Description
Robust body with dark crossbands on the neck and alternating blotches along the back and sides, often becoming quite dark or reddish-brown with age. Scales are strongly keeled.
Size & Dimensions
Estimated length of this specimen is around 24 to 30 inches. Typical adult length ranges from 24 to 42 inches (61 to 106 cm), with females generally growing larger than males.
Habitat
Aquatic environments including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, swamps, and temporary pools. Usually found basking on rocks, logs, or branches near water.
Diet & Feeding
Consists primarily of fish and amphibians such as frogs and tadpoles, captured through active foraging in water or ambush along the shoreline.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives live birth). Mating occurs in the spring, and females typically give birth to a litter of 8 to 30 or more young in late summer.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern. Common and widespread throughout its natural range, facing local threats mainly from habitat loss and human persecution.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in controlling populations of aquatic prey species and serves as a prey base for larger mammals, birds of prey, and other snakes.
Notable Features
Exhibits threat behaviors when threatened, including flattening the body, releasing a foul-smelling musk from cloacal glands, and striking repeatedly if cornered.