Northern water snakes (Nerodia sipedon) are aquatic predators. They eat fish, frogs and amphibians.
They also eat birds, mammals and other snakes.
Females mate in April and June, and lay up to 30 eggs at a time. They give birth to free-living young snakes between August and October.
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Habitat
Northern water snakes prefer to live near freshwater habitats such as streams, ponds, lakes and rivers. They also inhabit marshes and bogs, as well as brackish waters such as tidal swamps.
They eat a variety of prey including fish, frogs, worms, leeches, crayfish and salamanders. Their diets are often dependent on seasonal changes in water levels.
When threatened, they strike repeatedly and emit a foul-smelling musk mixed with their feces. This odor can be deafening and painful to the victim.
Northern water snakes are carnivores, hunting for small fish, tadpoles, frogs, worms and leeches. They are also known to kill small birds and mammals.
Diet
Northern water snakes eat many different kinds of prey, including small mammals, fish, frogs, freshwater crustaceans, and large insects. They also scavenge and eat dead animals.
They are non-venomous, but they can be aggressive and may bite when threatened. They also release a foul-smelling musk that repels predators, and they use this to avoid being killed.
Female northern water snakes give birth to live young during August and October, with a gestation period of three to five months. Their young are brighter than their parents and tend to be larger.
These snakes are common throughout the eastern United States from Maine to Florida. They are native to a variety of habitats, including lakes, ponds, rivers, and marshes. They can also be found in brackish and saltwater habitats, so long as they have access to food and cover.
Predators
Northern water snakes hunt fish, frogs, and other naive or weak animals in shallow waters. They also seek out prey hiding in rocks, crevices and other places underwater.
They feed on a wide variety of frogs, worms, leeches, crayfish and other animals. They may also consume bird eggs and small birds in nests.
Their diet changes when they reach their maximum size of about 1.5 feet (4.5 m). They will still eat a variety of different things, but the majority of their food will be frogs or other larger animals.
They are ovoviviparous, meaning they carry eggs inside their bodies and give birth to live young. Newborns are defenseless and unable to defend themselves. They are vulnerable to predators that include hawks, raccoons, opossums and foxes. They release foul-smelling musk and feces when threatened.
Behavior
Northern water snakes are highly adapted to their aquatic habitat and are excellent swimmers. They patrol their waters with their head right above the surface, using both sight and smell to detect their prey.
They eat a wide range of prey, including small fish, toads, frogs, salamanders and crayfish. They are not venomous, but they may release a foul-smelling musk from their cloacal glands if they feel threatened or when agitated by predators.
The northern water snake is moderately large, with a body length of about two to four feet. It is gray to reddish brown in color, with alternating dark bands and blotches that are usually wider at the mid-body.
Females become sexually mature at three years of age, and breed during the spring after emerging from hibernation. They mate and give birth to live young, with up to 99 offspring per litter.
