Northern Water Snakes, Photos Videos and Facts
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Northern Water Snakes are Fun to Watch
Some of the photos on this page were taken on a day, when my wife and I took a little trip to visit a wetland wildlife area within driving distance of our home. There are roads through the wetlands, and a platform for viewing birds, but we went off the beaten path, by getting out of our car, and walking down into a drainage culvert.
Northern Water Snakes reach over 4 feet in length when fully grown.
Northern Water Snake Sunning on a Rock
Below the drainage culvert were many rocks. It was a perfect place for the water snakes to hide, sun themselves, and find prey items in the water. At first we were seeing them as they were getting out of our way, and hiding from us. We started to move more slowly, and after about 10 or 15 minutes, they seemed to get accustomed to our presence. Just as I got into position to take this photo, a large carp decided to swim into the shot, and make a splash.
Northern Water Snake's Diet
Northern Water Snakes will eat just about any small critter that comes in, or near the water. Prey items include amphibians, such as frogs and salamanders, salamander larvae (water dogs), and fish. Rodents, and small birds, would probably also be consumed if given a chance. Small fish probably make up the biggest percentage of food items eaten by Northern Water Snakes. I have visited this spot a couple of times, and have seen them catch an eat a fish both times. In this photo the snake is eating what appears to be a small carp.Even though they catch the fish in the water, they like to drag it onto land to eat it. It only took this snake about 2 or 3 minutes to down the little carp.
Unlike most snakes, Northern Water Snakes do not lay eggs. They give birth to live young.
Fish Living Dangerously
If you look closely at this photo, there are several small fish, within inches of these two fish eating Northern Water Snakes. There were so many of these snakes that as you can see, sometimes they were literally on top of each other.
My Northern Water Snake Pictures
Northern Water Snake with it's tongue out.
Hand Capture of Water Snake
Northern Water Snake Eating a Catfish
Snakes.....good or bad?
Do you think snakes are good, or bad?
I appreciate snakes, and enjoy watching them.
MelonyVaughan says:
They are very important to our ecosystem!
Benjamin Kaiser says:
Good. They keep the small animal (rats, frogs, lizards, mice, etc...) down. They're also very interesting and beautiful creatures to watch and look at (both non-venomous AND venomous). Being the owner of an 8 year old Creamsicle Cornsnake, I've definitely taken quite a liking to all types of Reptiles.
LiteraryMind says:
Good-- they keep the rodent population down
joshua says:
snakes are awesome when i was six i caught a garden snake at my grandmas house
JimDickens says:
I like that they eat pests and take care of us.
Pet Snake Poll
Water Snakes
More Northern Water Snake Resources
Northern Water Snake
This thick-bodied snake is quite variable in color more...1 point
northern water snake
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Northern Water Snake Can Taste its Surroundings with its Tongue
Interesting underwater photo of a Northern Water Snake
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Brown Water Snake Eats a Catfish
This photo is of a different species, but the Brown Water Snake, has a very similar diet to Northern Water Snakes. Northern Water Snakes will also consume Catfish. The snake has grabbed a catfish that is probably on the upper size limit.Â
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Northern Watersnake Resting Among Reeds in the Water
This photo shows how Northern Water Snakes become more of a uniform brown color when fully mature. It is difficult to see any pattern at all on the larger specimens. Â
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Baby Northern Water Snake Eating
Northern Water Snake News
- Spooky reputation hides swamps' treasures
- The northern water snake and the ribbon snake are also present. Another notable swamp in Charles County is colloquially called the Bumpy Oak Swamp, located near the intersection of Bumpy Oak Road and the Indian Head Rail Trail in Pomfret.
- From dragonflies to owls, Audubon fest explores nature
- Garter snakes, northern water snakes, milk snakes and ring-necked snakes, all of which normally like to get lost in stone walls and piles of leaves, will share the limelight. "The ring-necked snake is pretty. They're small, dark gray and have a yellow ...
- Oh, hello there Mr. Snake...
- That would be a Northern water snake, not venemous but still capable of quite the bite. This was found by my daughter on our local creek walk, caked in dried mud and sunning itself in the trailside leaf litter that she had carelessly started to wander ...
- Promote the good — not the bad — about the Potomac River
- Lush grasses are sprouting up alongside Stubblefield Falls, a favorite hunting spot for the river's healthy population of northern water snakes. Resident rockfish abound near Fletcher's Cove, and this spring ?a great number of largemouth bass were ...
Other Water Snake Species
Banded Watersnake
Photos: U. S. Geological Survey----Florida Biology
Brown Watersnake, Nerodia taxispilota
Photos: U. S. Geological Survey----Florida Biology
Photos: U. S. Geological Survey----Florida Biology
Crayfish Snake
Photo: U. S. Geological Survey----Florida Biology
Florida Watersnake - Nerodia fasciata pictiventris
Photo: U. S. Geological Survey----Florida Biology
Mud snake - Farancia abacura
Snake Eats Security Guard
Noticed that a few people were ending up here, searching for this, so I didn't want to disappoint, even though it is unrelated, and not very informative.
More on Water Snakes
- Friend or foe? Snakes aren't always what they seem
- A Savannah River kayaker's snapshot of this hefty brown water snake stirred rumors of pythons and oversized cottonmouths. Water snakes are not venomous, but are prone to bite if they are provoked. Admittedly, the snake is a whopper ? and those who ...
- A water snake stirs up a commune
- VietNamNet Bridge ? A water snake has been considered as a 'preternatural snake' by residents of Tung Loc commune in the central city of Ha Tinh. Over the past month, people in Tung Loc commune have kept discussing the appearance of a snake that laid ...
- Several-foot-long snake spotted on Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights
- "Experts'' here at the Journal say it's a "black snake'' or a "water snake.'' But, we're more accustomed to writing about politicians so our terminology may be off. Snake spotted on Central Avenue in Jersey City Heights.
- CN Natural Resources: respect snakes' roles
- Outside the water they have a ?subdued? pattern, like a water snake that is covered in dust or have a velvety type of texture in appearance, Gwin said. In the water or under water their color is more noticeable. In comparison, a non-poisonous water ...
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- Information and photos on many Salamander Species.
What do you think of Snakes?
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karmicchristian
May 28, 2012 @ 1:30 am | delete
- Brilliant lens! Snakes are adorable from far! :)
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desa999
May 16, 2012 @ 6:07 am | delete
- Very interesting scary topic.
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veryirie
May 4, 2012 @ 1:26 am | delete
- Your pictures of the creepy snakes (can't help myself) were fascinating. Very informative page with more information than I could ever want to know about Northern water snakes. Excellently done! :)
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MelonyVaughan
May 3, 2012 @ 6:53 pm | delete
- Excellent information - as always! Thanks for sharing.
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Mujjen
Apr 14, 2012 @ 5:05 pm | delete
- Not so keen on snakes. Didn't know the water snake doesn't lay eggs.
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WriterJanis
Apr 9, 2012 @ 3:09 am | delete
- Such beautiful images.
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JimDickens
Mar 13, 2012 @ 10:23 pm | delete
- I am fascinated by them but fear them nonetheless. Too many non-venomous snakes look like some of the venomous ones so I leave them alone
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amieljaven
Dec 8, 2011 @ 9:49 pm | delete
- I'm afraid of snakes. All kinds of snakes. Scary! Nice lens.
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anilsaini
Oct 21, 2011 @ 3:54 am | delete
- wow, amazing
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goo2eyes
Oct 16, 2011 @ 3:41 pm | delete
- the motto , the survival of the fittest, is well represented here.
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JaguarJulie Oct 9, 2011 @ 2:58 pm | delete
- Holy Smokes! It sure was wild and crazy ... or something ... visiting water snakes! I spotted one myself, but in the grass.
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termit_bronx
Sep 12, 2011 @ 12:26 pm | delete
- Oh, I don't like snakes, they look so slimy and scarry! :) but on the other hand, they are useful creatures I suppose :P
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hlkljgk Sep 12, 2011 @ 11:37 am | delete
- they're amazing creatures. great lens. love the photos.
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spiritualll
Aug 29, 2011 @ 6:15 am | delete
- HI!
I saw your lenses now!
They are nice!
I was thinking to show them to others. I hope you keep creating them.
I didn't hesitate to squidlike some of them!
GOOD LUCK ON SQUIDOO
May you earn much Money $$$!
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Snakesmum
Aug 28, 2011 @ 1:53 am | delete
- Snakes are beautiful creatures, and I share my lounge with four pythons. :-)
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squidoolover76
Aug 27, 2011 @ 3:35 pm | delete
- Very interesting squid but I used to be away from this reptile.
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Chris-H
Aug 27, 2011 @ 12:36 am | delete
- Great lens! I had fun.
Lol! When I was in 6th grade and coming home from summer camp I tried to bring a Garter Snake on the plane with me. When the security guard asked me what the coffee can was for I told him it was for the snake in my pocket. Ooops! :p
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Margo_Arrowsmith
Aug 26, 2011 @ 6:12 pm | delete
- Very well done, Angel Blessed
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jessicahoward Aug 26, 2011 @ 12:15 am | delete
- Very nice lens.....you put lot of efforts in compiling...fantastic pics you added......Your so lucky having this location so close to your home I know I would be there everyday. Really it is the great page on northern water snakes....Thank you for sharing ......:)
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whiteskyline
Aug 17, 2011 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- Very cool, where was this?
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pawpaw911
Aug 19, 2011 @ 7:20 pm | delete
- Quivira Wildlife Refuge.
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sukkran Aug 5, 2011 @ 9:10 am | delete
- really wonderful pics and vids. well presented lens. ~blessed~
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jasminesphotography
Jul 22, 2011 @ 12:30 am | delete
- I'd rather observe a snake through glass, or photos, such as these. Beautiful photographs. :)
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Rewards4life Jul 20, 2011 @ 2:30 pm | delete
- Amazing you have so much talent, these pictures are fantastic. Your so lucky having this location so close to your home I know I would be there everyday. Great page on northern water snakes.
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Tipi
Jul 20, 2011 @ 8:15 am | delete
- I'd say that you found Northern Water Snake heaven and took full advantage of the opportunity with another fascinating example of photo journalism! Beautifully presented.
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whoisbid
Jul 19, 2011 @ 2:20 pm | delete
- nice subject to talk about . Thanks
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ArtByLinda Jul 18, 2011 @ 4:10 pm | delete
- Great information and photos. I am not a huge snake fan, but love to study them from a distance, photo or video. Blessings to you!
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Tiggered
Jun 28, 2011 @ 8:11 am | delete
- Great pics! I admire your patience and photographic eye
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