Today is the last official day of winter, as spring begins tomorrow. Unfortunately the weather doesn’t always get the memo- in fact, here in Indiana, it can be pretty contrary, like when last week went from hot to icy overnight- but that hasn’t dissuaded some of the animals from beginning to come out and enjoy the days of sunshine.
On one of these sunny days I found my first snake of the year (which automatically makes it a good day). Unsurprisingly, the common name for this family of snakes who like to hang out in the water is watersnakes, and this pretty common one is called- wait for it- the common watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), a harmless eater of fish, frogs, and other small creatures.
That is not to say that all snakes found in water are necessarily watersnakes, as many people are quick to point out the venomous cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus) at this point, which has some similarities in habits and appearance: In fact, piscivorus means “fish-eater.” This viper technically ranges into Indiana, but is listed as endangered within the state and considered likely absent, with the last sighting being 10 years ago according to the Indiana Herp Atlas.
These species can absolutely be distinguished with a practiced eye, but anyone who is unsure about the identity of a particular animal should simply keep their distance. Though everyone seems to know someone whose claims their neighbor’s brother’s friend got chased by a cottonmouth, they do not chase. If encountered, simply treating them with the proper caution and respect is generally enough to ensure your safety (and theirs!), as their only motivation to bite people is self-defense.
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