Brown Water Snake

Description:

The brown water snake is very heavy-bodied, and its neck is distinctly narrower than its head. Dorsally it is brown or rusty brown with a row of about 25 black or dark brown square blotches down its back. Smaller similar blotches alternate on the sides. Ventrally it is yellow heavily marked with black or dark brown. Dorsal scales are in 27-33 rows (more than any other North American water snake), and it has 2-4 anterior temporals (usually 1 in others). Adults measure 30-60 in. (76–152 cm) in total length; record 69 in. (175 cm).

Habitat:

Nerodia taxispilota is found in lower coastal regions from southeastern Virginia, through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to northern and western Florida (Gulf Coast), then west through Missouri, Alabama and Mississippi, to Louisiana, normally from sea level to 500 ft. (150 m) elevation. It is found in swamps and streams and is often mistaken for a venomous snake. This one was photographed along the boardwalk over Butler Creek at the Phinizy Swamp Nature Park near Augusta (Richmond County), GA. It was sunning at the base of a cypress tree.

Notes:

This species is not venomous. It is often confused with the Eastern Cottonmouth, which is poisonous. This reminds me that snakes can be seen in January in Georgia, if the temperatures are in the right range. It was about 68F on a very sunny day.