Northern Water Snake

Description:

IDENTIFICATION: A medium to large-size heavy-bodied snake. Its dorsum is strongly keeled, ranging from uniform dark black to a pattern of reddish brown bands on a dark background. The banded pattern is most pronounced in smaller snakes and snakes that are in the water. The venter is edged with deep red-brown, the yellow-white central portion usually darkly-pigmented with a half-moon pattern running down the midline. Females are considerably larger than males, adult total length 650-1330 mm. Water snakes are widespread in Connecticut, flourishing in and near human-altered water bodies, including reservoirs and farm ponds. They are also found along streams and rivers, as well as wooded swamps and vernal pools. The only limiting factor to their distribution appears to be elevation. Although recorded from sites as high as 1500 feet, they are less common and more localized at higher elevations. The water snake is presently secure in Connecticut, although many are killed each year in the mistaken belief that they are venomous.

Habitat:

Like to hang out close to streams because that is where they hunt. They are active during the day and at night. They are most often seen basking on rocks, stumps, or brush. During the day, they hunt among plants at the water's edge, looking for small fish, frogs, worms, leeches, crayfish, salamanders, small birds and mammals. At night, they concentrate on minnows and other small fish sleeping in shallow water. The Lake Erie water snake subspecies, Nerodia sipedon insularum, was once endangered, but now benefits from the introduction of the round goby, an invasive species, which now comprises up to 90 per cent of its diet.

Notes:

This guy was getting ready to shead and happen to come up the rock right next to me while i was just sitting there. He was a few inches away from me when i got this picture he decided to yawn for me while he bathed in the sun rays :D