Northern Water Snake

The quarry at Hueston Woods park is a beautiful stretch of creek with several waterfalls and is host to many Ohio herps. On our most recent trip last Thursday this northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon, was discovered. It was found swimming on the edge of the creek, and considering adult water snakes are typically 24-42 in. in length this is most likely a juvenile. This is the only large water snake in most northern states and the adults can be difficult to identfiy because their pattern tends to darken as they age making some appear unicolor. Northern water snakes are an abundant species and are found in virtually every form of freshwater habitat in their range. They prefer slow moving waters but are also found in fast moving streams or those with waterfalls. You can determine whether you have a northern water snake or not if it has dark dorsal markings, light spaces between lateral dark markings, reddish or brownish half-moon markings on the center of the belly, a dark pattern on the posterior end of the belly, and alternating dark blotches and lateral bars on the tail.

(Kelly Young, Miami University)