Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Native to eastern and central North America, ranging from southern Canada down through the eastern United States to the Gulf Coast, and westward to parts of Colorado and Oklahoma.
Look up Common Watersnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Conservation
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, due to its wide distribution, tolerance of habitat modification, and generally large population sizes. Threats include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing by humans.
Physical Description
The visible specimen shows dark crossbands near the neck transitioning to alternating blotches further down the body. The belly has distinctive dark crescent-shaped markings. The mouth is open, revealing a pink interior, and there are dark vertical bars along the labial scales.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen appears to be a juvenile or subadult, roughly 30 to 45 cm in length. Adults typically range from 66 to 135 cm in total length.
Habitat
Found primarily in or near permanent bodies of freshwater such as streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, marshes, and swamps. They prefer slow-moving water with plenty of basking sites such as rocks, logs, or shoreline vegetation.
Diet & Feeding
Diet consists primarily of fish, amphibians, crayfish, and occasionally small mammals or birds. They are active foragers that hunt both in water and along the shore, capturing prey with a quick strike and swallowing it live.
Reproduction
Ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young rather than laying eggs. Mating typically occurs in spring, and females give birth to litters ranging from 8 to over 50 young in late summer or early autumn.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List status is Least Concern, due to its wide distribution, tolerance of habitat modification, and generally large population sizes. Threats include habitat destruction, road mortality, and intentional killing by humans.
Cultural Significance
Plays an important ecological role in controlling amphibian and fish populations in aquatic ecosystems, though they often suffer from persecution due to mistaken identity.
Notable Features
Exhibits a classic posture with the mouth gaped wide open, accompanied by flattening of the head and body to appear larger.