Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)
Description: 24 - 44 inches. Northern Water Snakes are gray to brown, with darker brown, reddish-brown, or black bands near the head that become blotches as you move down the body towards the tail. The pattern on adults may fade making it look solid black or brown. The belly is light colored with a combination of red and black markings that become darker near the tail. Some Northern Water Snakes may have a yellow or orange coloring on the belly with or without the red and black markings.
Similar Species: Copperbelly Water Snakes have no markings on the belly, and are usually completely patternless as adults. Diamondback Water Snakes do not have bands near the head, and retain their pattern as adults.
Age in years of Most Recent Record | ||||||||||||||
75+ | 70 | 65 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 45 | 40 | 35 | 30 | 25 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 5 |
This map is generated from data provided by the Drake University Biodiversity Center, observations from HerpMapper.org, the Iowa DNR Natural Areas Inventory, as well as other sources. Please help us keep it up to date by reporting your sightings to HerpMapper.