Brown Water Snake
The brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota) is a large, heavy-bodied, nonvenomous snake that lives in rivers, swamps and lakes of the southeastern United States. It is a skilled swimmer and climber that feeds mostly on fish, and it is often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth.
Scientific Classification & Quick Facts
| Common name | Brown water snake |
| Scientific name | Nerodia taxispilota |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Squamata |
| Family | Colubridae |
| Genus | Nerodia |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Type | Reptile (non-venomous snake) |
| Diet | Fish such as small catfish, minnows; frogs |
| Habitat | Streams, swamps, lakes and rivers |
| Native range | Southeastern United States |
| Size | 76-152 cm (30-60 in) long |
| Colours | Brown with dark square blotches on back |
| Special feature | Basks on branches and stumps above water |
It belongs to the family Colubridae, the largest snake family, and to the water snake group known as natricines. It is not the same animal as the African brown water snake (Lycodonomorphus rufulus), a different species found in southern Africa.
Other Names
Over the years, people have given the brown water snake many local names, including water pilot, great water snake, false moccasin, pied water snake, water rattle and water rattler. Names like “false moccasin” show how often it is confused with the cottonmouth, also called the water moccasin.
What It Looks Like
Brown water snakes are big, bulky snakes. Adults are usually 30 to 60 inches (76 to 152 cm) long, and the record is about 69 inches (175 cm). Females grow larger and heavier than males. The broad head is clearly wider than the fairly thin neck.
The back is brown or rusty brown, with about 25 large, dark, square blotches running down the middle. Smaller dark blotches run along each side, alternating with the ones on the back. The belly is yellowish, with dark brown or black markings. Their scales are keeled, meaning each one has a small ridge down the center, which gives the skin a rough look.
Where Brown Water Snakes Live
Brown water snakes live in the coastal plain of the southeastern US, from southeastern Virginia south through the Carolinas and Georgia and throughout Florida, reaching west into Alabama. They are especially common in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida, but they are not found in the mountains.
They prefer large bodies of water such as rivers, canals, lakes, cypress swamps and reservoirs. They are especially fond of places with plenty of overhanging branches, fallen trees and stumps.
Behavior
Brown water snakes are excellent swimmers, but they are also good climbers. On warm days they bask on branches, logs and stumps, sometimes as high as 20 feet (6 m) above the water. If disturbed, they usually drop straight into the water and swim away.
Like most wild snakes, they would rather escape than fight. But if one is cornered or picked up, it will defend itself by biting hard and repeatedly, and it releases a foul-smelling musk. Their bites are not venomous, but their teeth can cause bleeding scratches.
Brown Water Snake or Cottonmouth?
Because they live in the same places, brown water snakes are often mistaken for cottonmouths and killed by frightened people. Cottonmouths usually have a thick, blocky head with a dark stripe through the eye, and they often stand their ground with their mouth wide open, showing the white lining. Brown water snakes have that square-blotched pattern and usually flee. If you are ever unsure what a snake is, the safest choice is to leave it alone.
What Brown Water Snakes Eat
Brown water snakes are mainly fish-eaters. Studies show their favorite prey is catfish, especially smaller bullhead catfish, which they swallow whole even though the fish have sharp spines. They also eat other fish such as minnows, and occasionally frogs.
They hunt by swimming along the edges of the water and poking their heads among plants, roots and debris, or by waiting near the bottom for fish to come close.
Breeding
Brown water snakes mate in spring, often on branches over the water. Instead of laying eggs, the female gives birth to live young in late summer, usually in August or September. Before giving birth, the developing babies are fed by the yolk inside their egg membranes, so a healthy female needs to have built up good fat reserves.
Litters can range from about 14 to 58 babies, though around 30 to 40 is common. Newborns are about 7 to 11 inches (18 to 27 cm) long and are fully independent from birth. Unlike adults, newborn males are often slightly longer than newborn females.
Brown Water Snakes as Pets
Brown water snakes are sometimes kept by experienced reptile keepers, but they are not an easy beginner pet. They are large, often nervous, and many bite and release musk when handled. Wild-caught snakes may also carry parasites, so it is best to leave wild snakes where you find them and to check local laws before keeping any native reptile.
Housing
A captive brown water snake needs a large, secure enclosure with a big area of clean water for swimming and a dry land area for resting. Sturdy branches above the water and a heat lamp give it a place to bask, just as it would in the wild. Because the snake often defecates in the water, the water must be changed and cleaned frequently.
Food
In captivity, these snakes are usually fed a variety of whole fish. Some keepers avoid goldfish and certain feeder fish that can cause vitamin problems if fed too often. Some captive water snakes also learn to eat thawed mice scented with fish. A reptile vet can advise on a balanced diet.
Handling
Most brown water snakes never become fully tame. If handling is necessary, support the snake’s body gently with both hands, keep sessions short and wash your hands afterward. Many keepers simply enjoy watching them swim and bask rather than handling them.
Brown water snake FAQs
Are brown water snakes poisonous?
No, they are not venomous, but they have a painful bite and can be quite aggressive if trapped. People often mistake them for venomous snakes like the cottonmouth.
What do brown water snakes eat?
They mostly eat fish, especially small catfish and minnows, and also frogs. They hunt along the edges of lakes and rivers.
Where do brown water snakes live?
They live in streams and swamps in the southeastern United States, from southern Virginia down through Florida. They are common in the coastal plains and foothills.
Can brown water snakes climb?
Yes, they are excellent climbers and swimmers. You can often see them sunning on plants or stumps that stick out of the water, sometimes as high as 20 feet up.
Do brown water snakes lay eggs?
No, they give birth to live babies, usually in August. A litter is usually 30 to 40 young, and each baby is about 18 to 27 cm long.
Randi Jones is the owner and founder of the Nature Gift Store, an online retailer specializing in nature-themed gifts, educational science projects, live animal nature kits and real butterfly artwork. A biology graduate who fell in love with insects, she founded the company in 2001 to make active learning about nature fun, accessible and engaging for children and adults. Her store offers real butterfly frames, home and garden decor and educational live animal kits, including ant farms, worm farms, tadpoles, ladybugs and hermit crabs, and she runs a bug museum in Washington featuring live animals like Eddie the Iguana alongside other reptiles and insects.
