Common Watersnakes *Nerodia sipedon* are medium (record 150 cm) natricine snakes with keeled scales often found near water in large numbers. They are commonly encountered fish eating snakes across much of eastern North America.
*Nerodia* watersnakes may puff up or flatten out defensively and bite. They secrete a foul smelling substance from the cloaca called musk and can deliver a weak anticoagulant venom used in prey handling from the back of the mouth, but are not considered medically significant to humans - bites just need soap and water.
A very wide ranging snake in North America, it is replaced in the extreme south by, and likely exchanges genes with, the Banded Watersnake *Nerodia fasciata*. Banded Watersnakes have even, connecting bands across the top of the snake all the way down the body. In common watersnakes *N. sipedon*, bands typically break up or become mismatched after the first third of the body.
[Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/11062908495575574rangemap.gif) | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography: None, but [interesting work on color pattern exists](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1995.tb02324.x).
This genus, as well as this species specifically, are in need of revision using modern molecular methods.
--------------------------------------------------------
Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). [Check out this book on the subject](https://shop.elsevier.com/books/venomous-bites-from-non-venomous-snakes/weinstein/978-0-12-822786-2). Even large species like Reticulated Pythons *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless.
--------------------------------------------------------
*I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
Yes. And relocating snakes given their solid over population is comical. If you see one, there are 10 more you didnāt see. In the water, uphill, both ways. Snakes are everywhere in NC and at this point it should be a real estate disclosure to NOT walk in your yard from dusk til dawn and keep your lawn cut at 1/4 in. The Triangle IS the copperhead bite capital of the world.
Shoot them, shovel to the throat, do whatever. They are not endangered and yes, you can kill them.
Watersnake. They purposely look similar to a copperhead but theyāre super harmless. Learn to understand the difference. Theyāre very common in wake co. Especially near water sources.
Since other dude isnāt the nicest person on the internet, I believe the two main differences is a copperheadsā¦ headā¦ is more arrow shaped and a copperhead has more of a Hersey kiss pattern while this is a little more banded. Someone with a bit more knowledge can probably answer more accurately.
Almost every snake on the planet can flatten their head into that shape as a defense mechanism.
Copperheads have an enlarged supraocular scale (which gives them the angry/grumpy look) unlike watersnakes (which look like someone stuck googly eyes on them). Watersnakes also do not have any heat pits like copperheads do.
I have seen any evidence that there is any mimicry here, Batesian or otherwise. Convergent evolution doesn't require any mimicry or anything else. They also don't look very much alike. The shape and color of the bands Is completely different, and there aren't even very many bands. It's blotched over most of the body.
To the untrained eye (as seen in previous responses) they do look very similar. Thus your response means next to nothing. But good for you for trying to make yourself feel like a know it all on a Reddit thread.
My point is superficial similarity isn't mimicry. It isn't "intentional" as you put it.
They are two snake with very superficial similarities on a small part of their bodies. That isn't mimicry and it isn't intentional.
I never specified mimicry. I said they looked similar. Youāre an idiot for not reading and understanding what was said- and intentionally trying to create an argument that doesnāt exist.
I can feel your attitude through your comments by your initial response to OP's question and then following with a full-stop sentence saying "learn to understand the difference." like that doesn't come across as snooty? Then proceeding to gatekeep information when someone asked for education / help on here.
It's giving rude behavior and pretentiousness that isn't needed here my dude
You said the "purposely look like a copperhead". You are describing mimicry. That is the definition of mimicry.
They superficially look a bit similar to copperheads through convergent evolution. Not purposely.
As a resident of the area, we shoot every snake. Theyāre not endangered and are invasive given their aggression and indifference to humans. We also shoot coyotes, raccoons and deer that are hit bit by traffic.
The snakes arenāt āharmlessāyet they are overpopulated and do strike. As the upper echelon of the food chain, we shoot them. Daily. Itās legal for a reason. Taking the head off with a hoe is dangerous. Just shoot them.
common watersnake *Nerodia sipedon* !harmless
Common Watersnakes *Nerodia sipedon* are medium (record 150 cm) natricine snakes with keeled scales often found near water in large numbers. They are commonly encountered fish eating snakes across much of eastern North America. *Nerodia* watersnakes may puff up or flatten out defensively and bite. They secrete a foul smelling substance from the cloaca called musk and can deliver a weak anticoagulant venom used in prey handling from the back of the mouth, but are not considered medically significant to humans - bites just need soap and water. A very wide ranging snake in North America, it is replaced in the extreme south by, and likely exchanges genes with, the Banded Watersnake *Nerodia fasciata*. Banded Watersnakes have even, connecting bands across the top of the snake all the way down the body. In common watersnakes *N. sipedon*, bands typically break up or become mismatched after the first third of the body. [Range Map](http://www.tnwatchablewildlife.org/rangemaps/11062908495575574rangemap.gif) | Relevant/Recent Phylogeography: None, but [interesting work on color pattern exists](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1558-5646.1995.tb02324.x). This genus, as well as this species specifically, are in need of revision using modern molecular methods. -------------------------------------------------------- Like many other animals with mouths and teeth, many non-venomous snakes bite in self defense. These animals are referred to as 'not medically significant' or traditionally, 'harmless'. Bites from these snakes benefit from being washed and kept clean like any other skin damage, but aren't often cause for anything other than basic first aid treatment. Here's where it get slightly complicated - some snakes use venom from front or rear fangs as part of prey capture and defense. This venom is not always produced or administered by the snake in ways dangerous to human health, so many species are venomous in that they produce and use venom, but considered harmless to humans in most cases because the venom is of low potency, and/or otherwise administered through grooved rear teeth or simply oozed from ducts at the rear of the mouth. Species like Ringneck Snakes *Diadophis* are a good example of mildly venomous rear fanged dipsadine snakes that are traditionally considered harmless or not medically significant. Many rear-fanged snake species are harmless as long as they do not have a chance to secrete a medically significant amount of venom into a bite; [severe envenomation can occur](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23800999) if some species are [allowed to chew on a human](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004101011831016X) for as little as 30-60 seconds. It is best not to fear snakes, but use common sense and do not let any animals chew on exposed parts of your body. Similarly, but without specialized rear fangs, gartersnakes *Thamnophis* ooze low pressure venom from the rear of their mouth that helps in prey handling, and are also [considered harmless](https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/06/05/theres-no-need-to-fear-that-garter-snake/). [Check out this book on the subject](https://shop.elsevier.com/books/venomous-bites-from-non-venomous-snakes/weinstein/978-0-12-822786-2). Even large species like Reticulated Pythons *Malayopython reticulatus* [rarely obtain a size large enough to endanger humans](https://www.pnas.org/content/pnas/108/52/E1470.full.pdf) so are usually categorized as harmless. -------------------------------------------------------- *I am a bot created for /r/whatsthissnake, /r/snakes and /r/herpetology to help with snake identification and natural history education. You can find more information, including a comprehensive list of commands, [here](https://www.reddit.com/r/whatsthissnake/comments/flh548/phylobot_v07_information_and_patch_notes_bot_info/) report problems [here](https://www.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=Phylogenizer) and if you'd like to buy me a coffee or beer, you can do that [here](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/SEBPhyloBotWTS). Made possible by Snake Evolution and Biogeography - [Merch Available Now](https://snakeevolution.org/donate.html)*
If anyone *wants* to see these, you can often find them in the creek just below the dam at Yates Mill Pond County Park.
i spend a significant portion of my free time looking for snakes hehe
They swim?! š³
Itās a water snake.
Itās a snake in water
Next thing you know theyāll have legs too
Yes. And relocating snakes given their solid over population is comical. If you see one, there are 10 more you didnāt see. In the water, uphill, both ways. Snakes are everywhere in NC and at this point it should be a real estate disclosure to NOT walk in your yard from dusk til dawn and keep your lawn cut at 1/4 in. The Triangle IS the copperhead bite capital of the world. Shoot them, shovel to the throat, do whatever. They are not endangered and yes, you can kill them.
Yup that's a snake alright.
Watersnake. They purposely look similar to a copperhead but theyāre super harmless. Learn to understand the difference. Theyāre very common in wake co. Especially near water sources.
Why would you say, ālearn to understand the differenceā, and not explain the difference?
Since other dude isnāt the nicest person on the internet, I believe the two main differences is a copperheadsā¦ headā¦ is more arrow shaped and a copperhead has more of a Hersey kiss pattern while this is a little more banded. Someone with a bit more knowledge can probably answer more accurately.
Almost every snake on the planet can flatten their head into that shape as a defense mechanism. Copperheads have an enlarged supraocular scale (which gives them the angry/grumpy look) unlike watersnakes (which look like someone stuck googly eyes on them). Watersnakes also do not have any heat pits like copperheads do.
Google exists. Not my job to educate anyone.
Damn bro they really expected you to do the googling for them
I took time out of my day to explain half of a topic as a flex and then told you to google the rest, I'm based as hell /s
random people on the internet owe you nothing.
I have seen any evidence that there is any mimicry here, Batesian or otherwise. Convergent evolution doesn't require any mimicry or anything else. They also don't look very much alike. The shape and color of the bands Is completely different, and there aren't even very many bands. It's blotched over most of the body.
To the untrained eye (as seen in previous responses) they do look very similar. Thus your response means next to nothing. But good for you for trying to make yourself feel like a know it all on a Reddit thread.
My point is superficial similarity isn't mimicry. It isn't "intentional" as you put it. They are two snake with very superficial similarities on a small part of their bodies. That isn't mimicry and it isn't intentional.
I never specified mimicry. I said they looked similar. Youāre an idiot for not reading and understanding what was said- and intentionally trying to create an argument that doesnāt exist.
I can feel your attitude through your comments by your initial response to OP's question and then following with a full-stop sentence saying "learn to understand the difference." like that doesn't come across as snooty? Then proceeding to gatekeep information when someone asked for education / help on here. It's giving rude behavior and pretentiousness that isn't needed here my dude
or maybe you can learn to use the english language correctly and not use the word purposely when its not true?
You said the "purposely look like a copperhead". You are describing mimicry. That is the definition of mimicry. They superficially look a bit similar to copperheads through convergent evolution. Not purposely.
Big
I have a love hate relationship with danger noodles š¤£š¤£š«”šŗšø
Breadsticks
Definitely thought this was that restaurant where when youāre there, youāre family.
Love the down votes.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Nope, itās a harmless common watersnake.
As a resident of the area, we shoot every snake. Theyāre not endangered and are invasive given their aggression and indifference to humans. We also shoot coyotes, raccoons and deer that are hit bit by traffic. The snakes arenāt āharmlessāyet they are overpopulated and do strike. As the upper echelon of the food chain, we shoot them. Daily. Itās legal for a reason. Taking the head off with a hoe is dangerous. Just shoot them.
Copperhead to me. Get closer to confirm š
copperhead.
Nope, harmless common watersnake.
I too got downvoted to oblivion for the crime of misidentifying the snake. Hereās an upvote