Remarks: Other common names in Virginia are water pilot (Carroll, 1950), and water moccasin and water rattle (Linzey and Clifford, 1981). Ventrally, … Common Name Brown Water Snake. The common watersnake can grow up to … Ways to Identify a Water Moccasin Snake And Tips to Treat its Bite. Description: A large, unpatterned water snake reaching a maximum total length of 1,575 mm (62.0 inches) (Conant and Collins, 1991). In Virginia, there are three species of watersnake: brown watersnake, northern watersnake and plain-bellied watersnake. All snakes can be born with different patterns and colors than what is typical for the species. A harmless snake the same length would be much more slender and would have a much longer, thinner tail (see below). It is brown or rusty brown with a row of about 25 black or dark brown square blotches down its back. Average Length 178cm. The reptiles’ bodies can be varying shades of gray, tan, buff, or brown, and the juvenile snakes are often more brightly colored than the adults. Make absolutely sure il was a poisonous snake that bit you. Photographer. The legless swimmers found in the James River in Richmond are northern water snakes, which eat fish and frogs. (1939) listed 119 water snakes out of a total of 885 from the George Washington National Forest; most were from riverine habitats at low elevations. Virginia is home to three venomous snake species, including the copperhead. The water moccasin snake is one of the most venomous snakes in the North America.
Then the thought of a giant female water snake didn't seem so far-fetched. As with ALL wild animals: Respect, watch, and admire from afar.) Brown Water Snake. It’s illegal to kill a snake in Virginia unless it poses a safety threat. This venomous Water Moccasin has an obviously thick, (top to bottom) blocky head. Northern water snakes are the most likely water snake to be confused with a water moccasin, according to the Savannah River Ecology Laboratory. Scientific Name Nerodia taxispilota. Red-bellied water snakes (Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster) live in a variety of aquatic habitats, particularly swamps and wetlands, where they hunt amphibians. Ways to Identify a Water Moccasin Snake And Tips to Treat its Bite. Distribution Southeast, Northeast. Description. Later I read that a brown water snake can give birth to more than 50 live baby snakes!
1. Northern Water Snake-this snake resembles very venomous Cottonmouth, but it is actually completely harmless. The northern watersnake being the most widely distributed and the brown watersnake the largest, which can reach a length of nearly 6 feet. Geographic range. The belly coloration is variable but is usually a mottled brown color.
The Black Rat Snake ranks as the most wide ranging of the species. Common Snakes of Virginia: Virginia has many different habitats to offer any wildlife but it seems to be one of the best environments for snakes, with a number of different species (both venomous and non-venomous) recorded here. Brown Water Snake Nerodia taxispilota. However, by killing the snake they greatly increased their chances of being bitten--it is always best to leave snakes alone!) Found state-wide. Number of Offspring 28. Named after its upturned nose, it makes good use of it, because it digs frogs and toads from the mud … The picture highlights two facts. Copperheads are among the most populous venomous snakes in the Commonwealth State and the only venomous snake in northern Virginia. You will usually find them near a creek or stream or hiding under logs. Common names. Photo by Todd Pierson. The brown water snake is native to the Coastal Plain and some of the Piedmont of the southeastern United States. This species has alternating rows of dark, square blotches that run along its sides, resulting in a checkerboard-like appearance. Coloration: extremely variable—pale gray to dark brown with reddish brown to black markings. Common names for Nerodia sipedon include banded water snake, black water adder, black water snake, brown water snake, common water snake, common northern water snake, eastern water snake, North American water snake, northern banded water snake, northern water snake, spotted water snake, streaked snake, water pilot, and water snake.