Northern Watersnake
Nerodia sipedon · Colubridae
Also called: Common Watersnake, Banded Water Snake
A harmless aquatic snake constantly killed out of fear that it is a cottonmouth. It bites readily when grabbed but has no venom.
What the Northern Watersnake looks like
How to identify it
- 1Reddish-brown to gray crossbands that break into blotches toward the tail
- 2Slender head only slightly wider than the neck
- 3Round pupils; swims with body low in the water
- 4No white mouth gape
Snakes it's confused with
Venomous; blocky head, white mouth gape, swims high on the surface.
Behavior & danger to humans
Defensive and quick to bite and musk when handled, but harmless.
✓ Good news: Harmless. Frequently misidentified as a cottonmouth and needlessly killed.
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