#common watersnake

[dinoserious]

more snake

[sentiers-sauvages]

Common watersnake

[accidental-rabbit]

pond collage :)

[aydenburd-photography]

Boulder, CO — April 2026

I've been trying to see a northern watersnake here for years, finally successfully found one today! Younger one, still very colorful.

[cronkle]

Resting common water snake

[al0nelybirdsong]

snake profile #7, requested by @snaps-play-pen!

the common water snake, Nerodia sipedon!

size: 24.02”-55.12”(61cm - 140cm) description: darkly colored scales with square blotches down the back and sides; white belly habitat: found near and within any permanent bodies of water(lakes, ponds, streams, rivers). Can be found on land near their aquatic home, sometimes under logs, rocks, and boards behavior: scavengers and carnivores, will eat most small creatures that can be found near water. Known to herd fish towards shores to eat many at a time, and will swallow prey whole instead of constricting or immobilizing first

hope you enjoy!

[iridescent-wildlife]

Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon). Family Colubridae, order Squamata.

Chimney Rock, North Carolina, USA. May 2019.

[northerlyy]

Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), juvenile, taken May 22, 2025, in Georgia, US

My first (and hopefully not last) snake of the year: a tiny watersnake! This guy couldn't have been very old. I would actually guess based on his size that he was very recently born! The little creek I found him in will provide a great place to begin life, full of small fish, salamander larvae, and invertebrates for this baby to eat until he's large enough to eat bigger prey and swim long distances.

Unlike most other snakes, N. sipedon is ovoviviparous, meaning eggs develop and hatch inside the mother before being laid, and the mother gives birth directly to baby snakes! Upon being born, these babies are immediately independent and soon leave the mother, who can give birth to—in extreme cases—up to 30 babies!