The Northern Water Snake

A huge Northern water snake catches the eye of the herpetologist. It is basking close to the water on a large rock in the warm sunlight. Or at least it appeared to be. On closer inspection, something is very wrong. The snake fails to react to the approaching human. Then it fails to react to the touch of the snake hook. A good-sized rock rests next to the snakes head. There is blood.

I'm not a Crime Scene Investigator, but something tells me the motive was not robbery. From my experience with similar cases, the suspect would probably claim some sort of self defense. Here's the problem. The Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon, is not venomous, and would probably prefer escaping into the water than tangling with a human. Unfortunately if this snake is not being persecuted by a general snake killer, it is often confused with the semi aquatic, venomous Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus. Cottonmouths can be distinguished by their large, triangular heads, vertical pupils, (note the round pupils seen in the northern water snake) and facial pits, which look like small holes between their eyes and lip.

Northern water snakes hunt frogs and fish and can often be found basking in warm sunny spots, as the unlucky individual in this case was. If given the chance, water snakes will most often flee before you come within range. If you do happen to grab one, you're in for a smelly surprise. Like many snake species, water snakes will release a foul smelling slime from their vent. The stuff soaks into your skin and requires a great deal of scrubbing to get off.

Water snakes will bite when provoked, and although they do not have venom, their saliva acts as an anticoagulant and prevents blood from clotting, so you might notice heavier than expected bleeding if you do get bitten. If you think about it this could come in very handy for the snake. A frog that is bitten and manages to get away will lose allot of blood and leave a trail for the snake to follow.

Water snakes may not be the most glamorous or appealing snakes, but they do have an important role in the ecosystem. It's too late for the Water snake caught basking on the rock, but perhaps with a little knowledge and understanding, fewer snakes will find themselves at the receiving end of a game of catch with a rock. (Which really isn't fair when you don't have limbs.)