Nerodia sipedon
Northern Watersnake
Photo taken by Chris Slesar.
Young adult (about 3 feet long).
Photo taken by D. Muzzy.
Zoom on previous photo to highlight young adult's pattern.
Dorsal view of young adult.
Photo by E. Talmage.
Note pattern on the belly.
Photo credit unavailable.
More images from google
Identification
When young, the Watersnake has reddish-brown blotches on a cream background. They darken with age to almost solid black with dark brown blotches. Their underside is white (or yellow) and black with red crescents. Watersnakes are thick snakes with heavily keeled scales; adults are usually 3-4 feet long (the longest documented in Vermont is 52 inches).
Range/Habitat
They inhabit lowland shallow wetlands with emergent vegetation and nearby rocks. It's primarily found near scattered marshes in the Lake Champlain Basin.
Status
This species has a state natural heritage rank of S3 (uncommon, localized). The Northern Watersnake has been designated a Species of Greatest Conservation Need (medium priority) in Vermont’s Wildlife Action Plan. Please report all sightings of this species in Vermont. Take photos if possible. Even historic sighting information is useful.
More Info
- Nerodia sipedon at the Animal Diversity website
- Nerodia sipedon sipedon at the CARCNET website
- Nerodia sipedon in the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Action Plan (PDF)
- Nerodia sipedon at the Snakes of Massachusetts website
Species summary written by Kaile Burgess.