CautionNot food
Northern watersnake
Nerodia sipedon
The snake people kill at the creek, thinking it is a water moccasin. It is not. Cottonmouths are not established here.
- Marks
- No pits; round pupils; always near water
- Size
- 24–42 in
- Habitat
- Laughery Creek, farm ponds, river backwaters.
- Season
- April–October.
- Frequency
- common
A stout nonvenomous snake. Banded when young, dark and blotchy when old. Flattened head when frightened. Found in and along water. Bites hard and musk-sprays if grabbed — not venomous.
If this is the one
Indiana is north of established cottonmouth range. A dark snake in Dearborn water is a watersnake. Leave it; it eats fish and frogs.
Lookalikes
Eastern copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix
The venomous snake you will actually meet in Dearborn County. Chestnut hourglasses on a copper body.
VenomousNot food