Identification- Large (25-60") Reddish brown to gray with broad dark saddles separated by thin pale areas.  Smaller blotches on the side alternating with the larger saddles.  Tend to darken with age and size.  Belly pale cream to yellow with many small half moons arranged randomly throughout.  Heavily keeled scales.  Round pupil.  Juveniles more contrasting with more vivid pattern.
    Similar Species- Milk Snakes have keeled scales, round saddles, and checkerboard belly.  Copperhead with larger hourglass markings, triangular head, and elliptical pupil.

Range- Water Snakes are found in all parts of our range, provided that proper habitat exists.
 

Habitat- Aquatic.  Rarely found far from water.  Lakes, ponds, creeks, rivers are their typical habitats.  Will enter brackish water.

Reproduction-  Mates mid to late spring.  Males are smaller than females.  Sometimes form "breeding balls" with several males trying to mate with one female.  Ovoviviparous (live-bearing) females give birth August to October to 15-30 young.  Young are typically 6-8" long at birth and have a pattern like the adults, but more defined.

General Characteristics-
    Not venomous.  Water snakes are typically killed on sight because of the erroneous belief that their bite can kill you.  They are often confused with Water Moccasins, a native of the far south that is not found in New York state.  They are somewhat easy to observe due to their diurnal habits and their fondness of basking on exposed sites.  Although Northern Water Snakes are active during the day they are also active at night when they hunt fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey.  They have also been known to eat salamanders, small turtles, and rodents.  Typically they attempt to flee when approached, but if cornered they dramatically flatten their bodies and heads, and strike repeatedly.  They are not venomous, but a bite from a Water Snake is not pleasant and bleeds profusely due to the anticoagulant nature of their saliva.