Back in the days when I worked for a pond construction company, one of my crew members told me that he needed some help identifying a snake that they had found on the job site. He said it was a water snake, and thought it was a cottonmouth. I asked if he had taken pictures of it, but instead, he presented me a burlap bag with the snake inside. Its head was smashed, and its body had been neatly cut into several pieces with the blade of a shovel. As an ecologist and lover of wildlife, the site of the demolished snake left me heartbroken and speechless. It was a large, beautiful, and HARMLESS northern water snake. All I could think of to say was, “That is NOT the way to identify a snake!”
This case of mistaken identity is not unusual. There are some very vague similarities in coloration and pattern between northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) and cottonmouths (Agkistrodon piscivorus), and they also somewhat resemble copperheads (Agkistrodon contortrix). However, when seen side-by-side, the snakes do not actually look that similar. And unlike cottonmouths and copperheads, northern water snakes are non-venomous and harmless to humans if left alone. Unfortunately, though, misidentification results in more water snakes being killed each year than venomous snakes.
Unless you live in the southeastern corner of Virginia near the Dismal Swamp or farther south, then it is unlikely that you will see a cottonmouth in the wild. They are not found in other parts of Virginia or anywhere farther north. These venomous semi-aquatic snakes are also known as “water moccasins”. When threatened or harassed, they will coil up and open their mouths wide to expose their fangs and the white interior of their mouths, which is why they were given the name “cottonmouth” - although hopefully, you will not have the opportunity to witness this phenomenon up close! Again, though, they only exhibit this behavior when approached and would much prefer to use their venom for hunting prey than for defending themselves against humans.
The other unfortunate look-alike for the northern water snake is the copperhead. However, copperheads are terrestrial snakes and prefer upland habitats such as rocky, forested areas to aquatic habitats. Their range is more widespread than that of the cottonmouth, and they are found throughout most of the eastern U.S. as far north as Massachusetts. Copperheads are responsible for many of the snakebites to humans reported each year, but they are rarely fatal. Most bites occur when people accidentally step on or touch the snakes because they are so well camouflaged with their surroundings. When disturbed, copperheads emit a musk that smells like cucumbers.
Northern water snakes are not venomous or aggressive. They are beautiful! They are brownish-gray snakes with broad blotches and crossbands on their backs with varying degrees of red, yellow, and white. The juveniles are brightly colored, but the colors become more subdued as the snakes age. They are frequently seen basking on rocks or stumps near lakes, rivers, and streams. They are active both during the day and at night and eat small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and even small mammals. They have been known to “herd” tadpoles with their body and eat them. They will flee from confrontation if given the chance but may bite repeatedly if cornered. The bite will bleed a lot because of the anticoagulant saliva but is not poisonous. Again, though, even a cute little chipmunk will bite a human to defend itself!
Water snakes can be easily distinguished from cottonmouths and copperheads by the shape of their heads. The poisonous snakes have triangular-shaped heads that are much wider than their “necks”, whereas the water snake has a round head that’s narrower than its body. Cottonmouths and copperheads are pit vipers and have discernable pits on top of their noses – though you might not want to get close enough to observe that characteristic! The venomous snakes also have yellow eyes with vertical slits for pupils, similar to cats’ eyes.
Water snakes have round eyes with round pupils. And when seen in the water, a cottonmouth swims with most of its back protruding from the water, while the water snake swims with only its head visible. If you are lucky enough to see a snake in or near the water, it is most likely a northern water snake. The best thing to do is to quietly observe it from a distance if you’re interested or walk the other way if you’re scared. It will not chase you or strike at you unless it feels threatened. And always remember, the best way to learn about wildlife is to arm yourself with knowledge, not the tip of a shovel!