This is the Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon). This species is non-venomous, but very aggressive. They are commonly found in lakes, ponds and other waterways. They are native to the United States and can grow to be quite large at around 5 feet in length with females generally larger than males. They are a thick bodied snake and have a large head that is somewhat arrow shaped. This snake is often mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth or Water Moccasin as it is also known by. Many of these snakes meet an untimely demise because of this mistaken identity. You will find these snakes resting in trees near water, along the bank or perhaps on a log floating in the water. They feed on crawfish, frogs, weak or sickly fish, small mammals (that wonder to close to shore), leeches, worms etc. Sometimes though the predator becomes the prey and these snakes are fed on by raccoons, opossums, skunks, fox, snapping turtles or perhaps other snakes. They will fight aggressively if disturbed, they will bite without hesitation and excrete a musky fluid that smells terrible. They have an anticoagulant which can cause the wound from the bite to bleed profusely. These snakes, while being beneficial are better off left alone. These snakes begin looking for mates in April and will breed through June. They bear live young and up to 30 may be born. They are on their own from birth, the mother does not care for them. These snakes are active during the day and night. During the night they will be found in the shallows feeding on minnows and small fish. They will use beaver huts and muskrat dens to hide out in. In the winter they will hibernate with copperhead and other snakes. The first picture was sent to me by a good friend named Chris Coffer, he told me while he was out fishing it slithered across his foot and went into the water. He wasn't sure what kind of snake it was. The second picture I took 2 years ago at our pond in Fillmore. There were many of these snakes all around our pond. Many of them hanging in the trees like the one pictured. I've heard stories where people have even been chased by these snakes or had their fishing poles attacked by them. It can be intimidating to have them rushing at you. Especially if you are under the mistaken belief it is a cottonmouth. In north western Missouri where I live you will not find Cottonmouths. They reside in the southern portion of the state, and are now even found south of St. Louis in the Mermac River. Identifying this snake can be somewhat difficult as their patterns vary highly. They are usually tan or brown with broad darker colored bands. These dark bands will be wider than the lighter colored spaces between the bands. Look for them next time you are fishing, and try not to run when they come after you...hehehe
