Northern Water Snake
Nerodia sipedon

by Jeff LeClere

Status

No status assigned in Minnesota

Description

Northern water snakes are one of the larger medium-sized Minnesota snakes. They range in length from 24 to 55 inches and may be quite heavy bodied as adults. There are so many pattern and color variations in certain populations, and in individual northern water snakes, that to list them all is not feasible for the length of this account. Generally, they have light brown or reddish markings on a brown or grayish ground color. The markings are bands on the neck and become blotches on the back. There are smaller alternating spots on the sides and the ones closest to the ventral scales have a tendency to be red. The tail is ringed in the same color as the dorsal markings. The belly is white with brown or red half-moon shaped markings. These markings are sparse or absent anteriorly and become much more numerous posteriorly. Sometimes there is a yellow, orange, or pink stripe running longitudinally down the center of the vent. The crescent shaped markings may still be present with this stripe, but if they are not, there may be very small gray or brown dots scattered randomly about the belly. Larger adults may be a solid brown or black when they are dry. Newborn northern water snakes have a gray or very light brown ground color with striking black or dark brown bands and blotches. The crescents on the belly usually have no red but are solid black or brown instead. Subadults are quite reddish in overall appearance.

Subspecies

Nerodia sipedon has three subspecies; the northern water snake, N. s. sipedon, the Carolina water snake, N. s. insularum, and the Lake Erie water snake, N. s. williamangelsi. Only the northern water snake, N. s. sipedon, occurs in Minnesota.

Range

Being a snake of the water, it is not surprising to find that this snake follows the Mississippi and St. Croix River systems in Minnesota. A few records indicate that northern water snakes are found centrally in the state via the Minnesota River. They are most numerous in the Mississippi River valley in southeastern Minnesota. They range as far north as Pine County along the St. Croix River (Oldfield and Moriarty 1994). They are relatively sparse in the Minnesota River as habitat destruction has taken its toll on these populations.

Habitat

The northern water snake is, as its name implies, a snake of the water. Ponds, marshes, streams, river backwaters, and lakes provide the preferred habitat for this serpent. Thick vegetation along the banks with small shrubs and trees afford basking opportunities that are important for this species.

Habits

This snake is diurnal, even during hot weather. It may be observed basking upon branches, shrubs, tree roots, and along the banks of waterways, often in large numbers on a favorite basking spot. Young and newborn water snakes may be found hiding beneath logs or flat rocks close to water. They are wary and will slip off their basking perch at any sign of danger. Some may swim with their heads above water to the other side of the bank or swim back to the shore in a semi-circle. Others will dive to the bottom and anchor themselves to logs, branches, rocks, or other debris. Most will resurface within five minutes, but they are capable of remaining submerged for an hour and a half (Ferguson and Thornton, 1984)! If cornered, they will flatten their jaws and bodies making themselves look like ribbons. They will strike and bite viciously and repeatedly. If picked up, they will release musk and fecal matter, and in very nervous specimens, regurgitating any recently eaten meal. Even after being held for some time, they will not miss an opportunity to bite, and their saliva contains anticoagulant properties that make the lacerations bleed profusely. The treatment, however, is only soap and water. These are nonvenomous snakes! The famous, and venomous cottonmouth (or water moccasin), Agkistrodon piscivorus, is not found in Minnesota or Iowa. The farthest north cottonmouths have been recorded is central Missouri.

Northern water snakes are active from April to October, spending their winters in rock crevices they have migrated to. There are often other species of snakes hibernating with them. Neonates of this species will often hibernate communally and in relatively large numbers when compared to the adults. Some may hibernate near their summer sites if suitable dens such as burrows, large rocks, bridges, or dams exist. They emerge in spring and migrate back to their summer sites close to water. This is where copulation takes place. Many males may court one female at the same time. The females are usually quite a bit larger than the males. The pair usually will select a basking perch such as a shrub or branch overhanging water for copulation. Matings have been observed on the banks or even in the water, however. During breeding, both snakes may make undulating movements with their bodies and the pair may remain "locked up" for an hour or more.

Young are born alive in late June into August. They are roughly 6 - 10 inches at birth and are pugnacious like the adults. Five to sixty young may be produced in a single litter or a couple litters a few days apart and there is a fantastic account of 99 young born in a litter to one female.

Food

Northern water snakes are active hunters and may hunt both day and night. They feed on a wide variety of animals associated with water. Fish, amphibians, baby turtles, young snakes, worms, leeches, insects, crayfish, and mammals are consumed. A wider variety of prey is utilized at higher temperatures. They eat small meals every day or every other day and hunt by patrolling the water next to the shore for food. They sometimes swim through a school of small fish with their mouths wide open and swallow anything they can catch or herd fish into a shallow area of water and then create a barrier with a loose coil of its body. These snakes are not constrictors and simply swallow prey alive.