Re: Where do water snakes breed and how long do they live?

Hi Alisha,

Thanks for your interest in snakes.

There are nine species of water snakes (Genus Nerodia), all of which live in the eastern and central regions of the United States and Mexico, with one species found along the northern coast of Cuba.

The Curator of Herpetology (Reptiles and Amphibians) at the Toledo Zoo, R. Andrew Odum, just told me that water snakes tend to breed on land near waterways or on branches over water. While water snakes spend a lot of time in or near water, they are also known for basking on logs, branches, and brushpiles. As soon as they’re startled, they zip into nearby water to escape harm.

Although water snakes are not poisonous, they are often confused with the venomous Cottonmouth, which has similar patterns and colors. However, cottonmouths move more slowly than true water snakes, and cottonmouths have the characteristic deep pits between their eyes and nostrils that harmless snakes do not have.

The oldest water snake on record died when it was almost 15 years old. Concho Water Snakes found in Texas have a much shorter average life span of four to five years.

Another neat thing about water snakes—the young are live-born, not hatched from eggs like many other snakes.

Here are some web sites where you can learn more about water snakes:

• Concho Water Snake (Texas)
• Northern Copperbelly Water Snake
• Northern Water Snake

Ruth Allard
Conservation Biologist, AZA