Northern Water Snake – 7/9/11

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 7/9/11

Observation Time: 3:45 p.m.

Observation Location: Gavins Pond Dam

Common Name: Northern Water Snake

Scientific Name: Nerodia sipedon

Comments: Water snakes are not venomous, but they can be large (4 feet long or more, and as thick as a man’s wrist) and aggressive. This one was more interested in avoiding me than attacking me.

More Information: Savannah River Ecology Laboratory

The scales have ridges called “keels.”