Wildlife Watching Wednesday: The Common Northern Water Snake

By: Tom Berg

When people see a water snake, they frequently exclaim “Water Moccasin!” This often happens even in northern states like Wisconsin and Michigan that are way out of the snake’s native range. Water Moccasins (or Cottonmouths) are venomous, and although they do venture as far north as Indiana and Illinois, they are typically only found in the extreme southern parts of those states. So any water snake you see in the more northerly areas of the eastern United States is likely a common Northern Water Snake.

These water-loving snakes are found throughout much of central and eastern North America, although they are not found in the southeastern state of Florida. Like most water snakes, they can be very aggressive. If you try to handle one, be prepared to be bitten! Although the bite is painful, these water snakes are not venomous and the bite is not dangerous. The best idea is to watch them from a distance!

Northern water snakes vary in color, but most are beige, brown or even reddish-brown, with dark brown and black markings on their backs. They are often seen swimming along the shore in lakes, swamps or rivers. They hunt for food along the shoreline, looking for minnows and juvenile fish, frogs, crayfish and other small prey. Basking in the sun near the water’s edge is a favorite pastime.

One interesting fact about these water snakes is they give birth to live young instead of laying eggs like many other snakes. The mother may produce as many as 20-30 babies at one time, averaging about 8 inches long each. As soon as the fully-formed baby snakes are born, they scatter and must fend for themselves.

People have many different names for northern water snakes. They are often called black water snakes, black water adders, banded water snakes, spotted water snakes, mud moccasins, and water vipers. One of the more unusual names is the water pilot. Call them whatever you like, as long as you call them interesting!

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