Northern Water Snake

Description:

A gray/brown snake with numerous dark red/brown bands along its dorsal side. Adults are usually between 24 and 42 inches in length. This is a very common, nonvenomous water snake that is often, unfortunately, misidentified as a cottonmouth.

Habitat:

All types of aquatic habitats: creeks, rivers, sloughs, ponds, lakes, marshes and swamps. Individuals like the ones spotted here often bask on branches overhanging water or on logs or rocks along the water's edge. If they are seen out of water, usually water is close by so they can make a quick escape.

Notes:

The snakes in this spotting are most likely the midland subspecies of northern water snake (N. s. pleuralis).