# Northern Water Snake (*Nerodia sipedon*) The Northern Water Snake is a great swimmer that loves to be near water! They are often seen basking on rocks. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 284 - **Habitat:** Wetlands and waterways - **Also known as:** Common Water Snake ![Northern Water Snake](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771426107/objects/5600.jpg) ## Appearance The Northern Water Snake is a medium-sized snake with a stout body, typically brown, gray, or reddish-brown, patterned with dark bands or blotches. These markings are wider on its back and narrower on its sides, often darkening to solid black as the snake ages, making it distinct from many other slender, uniformly colored snakes. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Squamata - **Order:** Serpentes - **Family:** Colubridae - **Genus:** Nerodia ## Interesting facts - Northern Water Snakes often bask on logs or rocks to warm up in the sun. - These snakes are non-venomous but will bite defensively if they feel scared! - They can stay underwater for a long time, patiently waiting for a meal! - When threatened, they often play dead to trick predators into leaving them alone. ## Special abilities - **Aquatic Hunter:** Northern Water Snake can swim swiftly and dive to catch fish and amphibians underwater with surprising agility. - **Musky Defense:** Northern Water Snake releases a foul-smelling musk when threatened to deter predators, making itself unappetizing. - **Imitation Display:** Northern Water Snake can flatten its head and body to appear larger and more intimidating, mimicking venomous snakes. - **Live Birth:** Northern Water Snake gives birth to live young, bypassing the need for external egg incubation or nesting. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 60-140 cm - **Weight:** 0.15-0.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 5 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 3 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-40 - **Maximum Depth:** 2 m ## Diet & Feeding They mainly feast on small fish and amphibians they catch in the water. - **Age differences:** Young snakes eat more invertebrates and small tadpoles, while adults primarily focus on fish and frogs. - **Primary Foods:** Small fish, Frogs, Toads, Salamanders, Tadpoles - **Foraging Method:** Pursuit ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Bluegill](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bluegill) (*Lepomis macrochirus*) — Main prey item caught while swimming. - **Eats:** [American Bullfrog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-bullfrog) (*Lithobates catesbeianus*) — Adults and tadpoles are a common food source. - **Eaten by:** Common Snapping Turtle (*Chelydra serpentina*) — Young snakes can be prey for large turtles. - **Eaten by:** [Red-tailed Hawk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-tailed-hawk) (*Buteo jamaicensis*) — Birds of prey snatch snakes from open areas. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Northern Water Snake? Compare the full body pattern, build, head markings and tail. Color can shift with age and lighting. Rules of thumb about triangular heads or round pupils aren't a reliable way to tell whether a snake is venomous. Snake Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Northern Water Snake? 60-140 cm ### How much does Northern Water Snake weigh? 0.15-0.5 kg ### How long does Northern Water Snake live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Northern Water Snake move? 5 km/h ### What does Northern Water Snake eat? They mainly feast on small fish and amphibians they catch in the water. ### How fast can Northern Water Snake swim? 3 km/h ### Where is Northern Water Snake usually found? Wetlands and waterways ## Where to spot - [Ambler Heights Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ambler-heights-historic-district) — Ohio, US · Historic District - [Ames Nowell State Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ames-nowell-state-park) — Massachusetts, US · State Park - [Bald Eagle State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bald-eagle-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Black Creek Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-creek-park) — New York, US · Park - [Bloomingdale](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bloomingdale) — District of Columbia, US · Neighborhood [View all places to see Northern Water Snake](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/northern-water-snake) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Northern Water Snake: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/northern-water-snake)