Northern Watersnake

How to identify

• Heavy body with dark brown or reddish bands, wider at the sides than the top
• Round pupils
• Narrow head blending into neck — not triangular
• Swims with body at the water surface, head level
• Older adults become very dark and nearly patternless

About this species

Virginia's most commonly encountered water snake, the northern watersnake is a heavy-bodied, non-venomous snake found near virtually any body of fresh water statewide. It is frequently and dangerously misidentified as a cottonmouth — which is only found in southeastern Virginia. Watersnakes are defensive and will bite if handled, but are not venomous.

Often confused with

Did you know

"When threatened, northern watersnakes flatten their bodies and release a foul-smelling musk — an effective deterrent that unfortunately makes them unpleasant to handle even for experienced herpetologists."

Sightings & citizen science

Help document Virginia wildlife by logging your sightings on iNaturalist. Every observation builds the conservation data that researchers and rehabbers depend on.