northern water snake

The northern water snake (N. sipedon) is a common species of semiaquatic snake found in the Northern Hemisphere, primarily in the eastern United States, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec. These snakes are characterized by stout bodies, keeled scales, and triangular heads. They are active during the day in cooler months and at night in the summer, feeding mainly on fish.1

Northern water snakes can reach lengths of 1 to 1.4 meters (3 to 4.5 feet) and are colored tan to gray with dark brown blotches. Females give birth to live young, typically between 4 and 100 offspring. They are often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth water moccasin but are nonvenomous. However, they are known to bite readily when handled and may release a foul-smelling substance from scent glands as a defense mechanism.1