Subject: Northern Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon

Location: Sand Run, Upshur County, West Virginia

Stock Number: 06-37094 (above) and 06-37088 (below)

Comments: Young Northern Water Snakes have dark brown bands on their bodies, which lead many people to misidentify them as Copperheads or Cottonmouths. The snake pictured here is older, and the dark bands are no longer so evident (they are better seen in the lower photo).

Northern Water Snakes feed on fish, crayfish, frogs, and other small aquatic creatures.

These snakes are adept swimmers, holding their heads above the water's surface.