Northern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the eastern United States to North Carolina, Georgia, and westward 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, as it has a wide distribution, large population, and high tolerance for habitat modification.
Physical Description
The snake exhibits dark crossbands on the neck region that transition into alternating dorsal and lateral blotches further down the body. The background coloration is typically brownish, gray, or reddish-brown. The scales are heavily keeled, and the head is moderately distinct from the neck with vertical dark bars along the labial scales.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen pictured appears to be a medium-sized subadult or adult, roughly 60 to 90 cm in length. Typical adult size ranges from 66 to 135 cm in total length, with females generally growing larger than males.
Habitat
Found primarily in or near fresh water habitats such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes. They prefer slow-moving or still waters with abundant basking sites such as rocks, logs, or shoreline vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of fish and amphibians, including frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, and small aquatic prey. They are active foragers along shorelines and in shallow water, capturing prey with a quick strike and swallowing it alive.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous species, giving live birth to litters typically ranging from 8 to over 50 young. Mating occurs in the spring, and young are born in late summer or early autumn.
Look-alikes
Often confused with venomous pit vipers such as cottonmouths or copperheads due to the dark blotched pattern and stout body. Unlike pit vipers, this species lacks facial pits, vertical pupils, and has a more slender, rounded head.
Conservation Status
Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List, as it has a wide distribution, large population, and high tolerance for habitat modification.
Cultural Significance
Plays a vital role in wetland ecosystems by controlling amphibian and fish populations. They are frequently misunderstood and killed out of fear due to their superficial resemblance to venomous species.
Notable Features
Known for their defensive behavior when cornered, which includes flattening the head and body, releasing a foul-smelling musk from cloacal glands, and striking repeatedly if handled.