Common Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon • Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Common Watersnakes are found throughout central and eastern North America, ranging from southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada down to the Gulf Coast of the United States, and from the Atlantic coast as far west as Colorado.
Look up Common Watersnake in the Snake Encyclopedia →Venomous Status
Non-venomous; lacks fangs and specialized venom glands.
Danger Level
Low Risk; although harmless to humans, they are famously defensive and will bite repeatedly and musk heavily if handled. Bites result in shallow lacerations prone to infection if not cleaned.
Family
Order: Squamata, Suborder: Serpentes, Family: Colubridae, Subfamily: Natricinae, Genus: Nerodia, Species: Nerodia sipedon
Conservation
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are common across their range but face threats from habitat destruction and persecution by humans who mistake them for venomous species.
Physical Description
Heavy-bodied snake with strongly keeled scales. Coloration is typically brown, grey, or tan with dark crossbands near the head that break into alternating dorsal and lateral blotches further down the body. This specimen shows 'blue' cloudy eyes, indicating it is in the 'opaque' stage of its shedding cycle (ecdysis).
Size & Dimensions
Adults typically range from 61 to 107 cm (24 to 42 inches). Large females can reach up to 135 cm. This specimen appears to be a mature adult based on body girth.
Habitat
Highly aquatic; commonly found in lakes, ponds, marshes, rivers, and streams. They often bask on rocks or branches overhanging water and utilize crevices for cover.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and crepuscular; highly active hunters but very shy of humans. When cornered, they flatten their heads to appear larger and will strike aggressively. They are excellent swimmers and divers.
Diet & Feeding
Primarily piscivorous (fish) and carnivorous (amphibians). They use an active foraging strategy, searching underwater for prey and swallowing it alive without constriction.
Reproduction
Viviparous (gives birth to live young). Breeding occurs in spring, and females give birth to 15 to 30 young in late summer or early autumn.
Venom Profile
Non-venomous - no medically significant venom. However, their saliva may have mild anticoagulant properties.
Look-alikes
Commonly confused with the venomous Northern Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus). Distinctive features: Watersnakes have round pupils and labial pits (vertical lines on the lip scales), while Cottonmouths have vertical pupils, heat-sensing pits, and a thick dark mask through the eye.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. They are common across their range but face threats from habitat destruction and persecution by humans who mistake them for venomous species.
Cultural Significance
Ecologically vital as both a predator of fish and amphibians and as prey for larger birds and mammals. Often unfairly targeted by humans due to their resemblance to Cottonmouths.
Notable Features
This specimen is in 'blue,' meaning it is about to shed its skin. The fluid between the old and new skin causes the eye caps (spectacles) and skin to appear dull and opaque, which temporarily obscures the animal's vision.