Northern Water Snake

Nerodia sipedon

Last updated: April 6, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© iStock.com/IcemanJ

Northern watersnakes’ teeth help them nab fish as they swim by.


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Northern Water Snake Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Family
Serpentes
Genus
Nerodia
Scientific Name
Nerodia sipedon

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Northern Water Snake Conservation Status

Northern Water Snake Locations

Northern Water Snake Locations

Northern Water Snake Facts

Prey
Fish, amphibians, smaller reptiles, rodents, small mammals, invertebrates
Fun Fact
Northern watersnakes’ teeth help them nab fish as they swim by.
Other Name(s)
Common water snake
Litter Size
12-36
Diet
Carnivore
Type
Reptile
Common Name
Northern water snake

Northern Water Snake Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Grey
  • Black
  • Tan
  • Black-Brown
  • Grey-Brown
Skin Type
Scales
Lifespan
9 years in captivity; unknown in the wild
Length
2 ft 3.5 in to 4.5 ft

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The northern water snake is often confused for the venomous cottonmouth and the copperhead, although it is nonvenomous.

The northern water snake is a species of common water snake that is native to North America and found in the eastern and central regions. Related to garter snakes, it is also called a water snake or a common water snake. Along with the banded or southern water snake, it was introduced to California, where it competes with the native giant garter snake.

4 Incredible Northern Water Snake Facts!

  • While it is nonvenomous, it has a nasty bite that releases anticoagulant, which makes the wound bleed a lot.
  • This snake is beneficial to humans because it gets rid of pests such as mice.
  • It only attacks if it is picked up or threatened, but will bite repeatedly until or unless it’s released.
  • The northern water snake first flees into any nearby water when threatened.

The northern water snake flees to water when threatened.

©iStock.com/Doug Gordon

Scientific Name

The scientific name of the northern water snake is Nerodia sipedon. Its genus, Nerodia, contains nonvenomous water snakes. There are nine species in Nerodia and they’re all native to North America.

This species has many common names, including the banded water snake, northern banded water snake, common water snake, water snake, black water adder, black water snake, common northern water snake, northern water snake, North American water snake, brown water snake, water pilot, eastern water snake, spotted water snake, and streaked snake.



The scientific name of the northern water snake is

Nerodia sipedon

.

©iStock.com/manuellacoste

Evolution and Origins

The northern water snake is in the snake family Colubridae, which has 249 genera and means “snake” in Latin. Fossil records of colubrids date to the Pliocene (Blancan) 5.333 million to 2.58 million years ago.

Scientists believe that the similarity in appearance between the water snake and the venomous cottonmouth might have been an evolutionary adaptation on the part of the water snake so it could avoid or confuse predators.

Northern Water Snake (nerodia sipedon)

The northern water snake’s similarity to the cottonmouth may have been an evolutionary adaptation.

©Steve Byland/Shutterstock.com

4 Types of Northern Water Snake

There are four subspecies of the northern water snake. They are:

  • Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon): The nominate subspecies is present across eastern and central North America, with the northern end of the range being southern Ontario and southern Quebec and the southern point of the range Texas and Florida.
  • Lake Erie water snake (Nerodia sipedon insularum): This snake can be found on the rocky shorelines and cliffs of the American and Canadian islands in western Lake Erie.
  • Midland water snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis): This subspecies is located in the central and southern United States.
  • Carolina water snake (Nerodia sipedon williamengelsi): This water snake lives in North and South Carolina.

There are four subspecies of the northern water snake.

©iStock.com/IcemanJ

Appearance

Because of its superficial appearance of a medium to large size, thick body, dark blotches, and being aquatic, the northern water snake is often confused for the venomous cottonmouth and the copperhead, although it is nonvenomous. It is also confused for the nonvenomous brown water snake and the banded water snake.

Hence, identification is through physical features and relative size rather than colors. Differentiation from the cottonmouth comes from the northern water snake’s longer, thinner body, flat head as wide as the neck, round pupils, and lack of heat-sensing pits, fangs, and venom glands.

How to identify northern water snakes:

  • A size of up to 4.5 feet in length including the tail, but an average of two feet eight inches for females and two feet 3.5 inches for males
  • A weight of 5.5-14.5 ounces for females and 2.9-5.4 ounces for males
  • Tan, reddish-brown, brown, grey, brownish-black, reddish-purple, or black colors on and up to completely black bodies
  • Brown, reddish-brown, black, or dark green splotches on its body
  • Dark crossbands on the neck
  • Cream, yellow, or gray belly with black and reddish half-moon spots in various patterns
  • Baby snakes are lighter in color than adults.
Nothern water snake in leaves- Brown snakes in Ohio

The northern water snake has brown, reddish-brown, black, or dark green splotches on its body.

©Steve Byland/Shutterstock.com

Behavior

During the winter, northern water snakes go into hibernation. People often find them sunbathing on rocks, tree stumps, and brush during the warmer months. They are active both during the day and at night. It does not seek confrontation with people and other animals but will aggressively bite if threatened or handled. Some people enjoy these snakes for being a form of biological pest control.

Snakes That Look Like Copperheads-Northern Water Snake

The northern water snake often sunbathes on rocks during the warmer months.

©jmarino/Shutterstock.com

Venom: How Dangerous Are Northern Water Snakes?

These snakes do not go after humans and attack them unless they are threatened or handled. They are neither poisonous nor venomous, but the facts about them show that they release a strong-smelling musk and have powerful jaws that can give harsh bites over and over. It also releases an anticoagulant that makes the wound bleed a lot. If you are bitten by one, treat the wound and seek medical attention if the bite is severe or develops an infection.

Snakes in Maine - Northern Water Snake / Lake Erie Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon insularum)

The northern water snake is not venomous.

©Michiel de Wit/Shutterstock.com

Habitat

The northern water snake’s range is in eastern and central North America. These snakes are especially plentiful in southeast Canada and the northeastern United States. Making their habitat on riverbanks and near lakes, they use beaver and muskrat dens for shelter. They come out after their winter hibernation, where they socialize during the spring and fall and are solitary during the summer. The mating season is from April through June.

Nerodia sipedon

Northern water snakes socialize during the spring and fall.

©samray/Shutterstock.com

Diet

Northern water snakes are carnivorous and their diet consists of fish, amphibians such as frogs, smaller or baby reptiles, rodents, small mammals, and invertebrates.

They are ambush predators. During the day they hunt along the water’s edge in plants, and at night they hunt small fish sleeping in shallow water.

American Green Tree Frog

Frogs are part of the northern water snake’s diet.

©LorraineHudgins/Shutterstock.com

Predators and Threats

Baby snakes are particularly vulnerable to being prey and having short lifespans if they are eaten, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown. Their predators are larger snakes, snapping turtles, raccoons, opossums, and foxes.

The northern water snake is vulnerable to predators when young.

©Tucker Heptinstall/Shutterstock.com

Population and Conservation

According to the IUCN, the northern water snake population is stable and listed as Least Concern. The Lake Erie watersnake subspecies was threatened in 1999 due to being killed by humans, habitat loss, and degradation. However, the invasive species of the round goby was introduced, becoming up to 90% of its diet, and the snake recovered enough to where the United States Fish and Wildlife Service removed its threatened status in 2011.

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About the Author

Catherine Gin has more than 15 years of experience working as an editor for digital, print and social media. She grew up in Australia with an alphabet of interesting animals, from echidnas and funnel-web spiders to kookaburras and quokkas, as well as beautiful native plants including bottlebrushes and gum trees. Being based in the U.S. for a decade has expanded Catherine's knowledge of flora and fauna, and she and her husband hope to have a hobby farm and vegetable garden in future.

Northern Water Snake FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What's the difference between a northern water snake and cottonmouth?

When separating northern water snakes vs cottonmouths, you can focus on their appearance. While both snakes are similar in length, cottonmouths are more banded while northern water snakes have blotches. In addition, the pupils of cottonmouth eyes are elliptical, whereas northern water snakes have round pupils.

What does a northern water snake look like?

Identification of this snake is done through its size, range of colors and patterns as well as physical features which distinguish it from non-venomous snakes. It is 2 feet 3.5 inches to 4.5 feet in length including the tail. Although its body can have various colors, it usually has dark splotches if it is not completely black. It has crossbands on its neck and crescents on its belly. Its head is flat and the same width as its neck, it is thinner than the cottonmouth, and lacks fangs as well as heat-sensing pits.

How do I catch a northern water snake?

It is best to find the location of its habitat range and catch the snake during or right after hibernation when it’s sluggish. Most people use glue traps or catch them with their bare hands, although they have a high risk of getting bites.

What position in the food chain is the northern water snake?

The location of the snake is between being one of the predators and a prey reptile. Baby snakes are particularly vulnerable to being prey and having short lifespans if they are eaten, but their lifespan in the wild is unknown. Their predators are larger snakes, snapping turtles, raccoons, opossums, and foxes.

Are northern water snakes harmful?

No, they are neither poisonous nor venomous.

Where are northern water snakes found?

They are native to eastern and central North America but are especially plentiful in southeast Canada and the northeastern United States. They are active during the day and night and go into hibernation during the winter, but they are often found in and near bodies of water including lakes, rivers, and marshes.

Are northern water snakes good pets?

Their lifespan is nine years in captivity, but they are not recommended for first-time snake owners because they are large and have an attitude.

How do northern water snakes hunt?

They are not poisonous, but are ambush predators. During the day they hunt along the water’s edge in plants, and at night they hunt small fish sleeping in shallow water.

Are northern water snakes aggressive?

Not really. They won’t chase you down, but it’s truer to say that they aggressively defend themselves.

What do northern water snakes eat?

Their diet is carnivorous, consisting of Fish, amphibians, smaller or baby reptiles, rodents, small mammals, and invertebrates. They are ambush predators to smaller creatures but prey to larger ones.

What is the difference between a copperhead and a northern watersnake?

The major difference between these two snake species is their venom — or the lack of it. American copperheads are venomous and although they aren’t regular killers, several people have been reported to have lost their lives from their bites. Northern watersnakes, on the other hand, are entirely nonvenomous and are less dangerous than copperheads to humans.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_watersnake
  2. Snake Removal, Available here: http://www.snake-removal.com/northernwatersnake.html
  3. New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife, Available here: https://www.nj.gov/dep/fgw/ensp/pdf/snake_id-avoid_confusion.pdf
  4. Lake Eerie Watersnake, Available here: https://lakeeriewatersnake.weebly.com/meet-the-snake.html
  5. Chester County Parks + Preservation, Available here: https://www.chesco.org/4677/Northern-Water-Snake
  6. Untamed Science, Available here: https://untamedscience.com/biodiversity/northern-water-snake/
  7. Snakes for Pets, Available here: https://www.snakesforpets.com/water-snakes-as-pets/

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