Stats

Lifespan: 7-9 yrs
Size: Medium
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Social: Solitary
Biome: Freshwater wetland
Range: North America
Movement: Slithering
Breeding: Live Birth
Defense: Camouflage
Status: Common

About

A stout, non-venomous semi-aquatic snake found throughout eastern North America, commonly spotted basking on rocks or branches over streams and ponds. It is frequently mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth due to its banded pattern and aggressive defensive posture, but is completely harmless to humans.

Life cycle

1.
hatchling
A miniature snake emerges from the egg or from its mother (live-bearers), already venomous or strong-coiled in some species.
2.
juvenile
A juvenile sheds its skin, grows quickly, and hunts smaller prey than the adults.
3.
adult
Fully grown at adult length and pattern.

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Taxonomy

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Nerodia
Species: Nerodia sipedon