Mark says, "The Northern Water Snake is certainly one of the most enigmatic ambush predators to be found. They live in an aquatic world of ponds, bogs, marshes, and also brooks, if the water is slow moving. They wait in an ambush position within these bodies of water searching for their prey, which consists of a wide variety of animals, including frogs, salamanders, juvenile turtles and amazingly they even catch fish."
(Image: Patrick Coin)
He adds, "They
can grow to be a large bulky snake with some reaching well over 50
inches in length and being easily as thick as an adult's arm! When
threatened, they much prefer to bolt into the cover of the water. But, if
cornered, to defend themselves they will lash out viciously— biting and
wriggling their strong bodies. When they are picked up, they will secret
a fowl smelling pungent odor and urinate, all in an attempt to return to
the safety of the water they call home.
They are a beautiful snake and, when young, have amazing markings and coloration. As they get older, they get darker in color and eventually nearly all black. I grew up catching and releasing these snakes as a child and have always thought of them fondly. Like all wild species, they require habitat to remain healthy and allow future generations to enjoy the wonder of the Northern Water Snake. Thank you for helping to protect the natural world.
Did you know?
- Northern Water Snakes can grow as long as 53 inches
- They often catch fish
- As reptiles, they must bask in sunlight to regulate their body temperature
- They are sometimes eaten by predators such as raccoons, fox and birds of prey, which is why they have learned to thrash wildly to escape when held."
Tags: Animals
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