Wild Adventures with Steve: Rowdy With Reptiles Episode 3--Northern Watersnakes

Here are several encounters I have had with three Northern Watersnakes over the last month or so. The Northern watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) is a non-venomous aquatic snake that is often mis-identified to be the venomous Cottonmouth and then killed. While these two snakes share similar habitats they are very different from each other. Check out my Outer banks video part one here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezRV0ElhYXM if you would like to compare the two snakes.
Please, do not kill snakes just because they are snakes or because you believe they are venomous. Snakes are very beneficial animals and have an important place in nature.
Watersnakes will prey on fish, frogs and very occasionally waterfoul--but they usually take only smaller, sick or weak animals. They have very little impact on game animals. As you can see from this video the snake is clearly afraid of the duck that is many times its size. Watersnakes are important to a healthy and balanced aquatic environment and they are beautiful and fun to watch. However, if you try to pick one up they will bite very hard to defend themselves.
It is possible that the two larger snakes in this video are the same animal since they were both found on the same pond and obviously look very similar.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• northern
• watersnake
• snake
• reptile
• wildlife
• nature
• conservation
• cats
• earthshine
• mountain
• lodge
• lake
• toxaway
• north
• carolina
• vacation
• brevard

[ThunderPigBlog]

Cool!

I wouldn't get as close as you did!!!

[snakesteve68]

That's probably a good thing for both you and the snake. I have been bitten by several watersnakes and it really hurts! But is is still more dangerous to get bitten by your pet feline, canine or a child than a non-venomous snake.

[eryx81]

Your description of this video is excellent. I wish more people shared our attitude about nature and snakes. Venomous or not, snakes are beautiful creatures and play a vital role in the wild. The calm demeanor of that smaller male that you were handling was amazing! Nerodia species aren't hesitant to strike out or musk the whole place down! Good work man.

[JhadPulltree]

Nide video, how much did the PitDuck cost you?LOL, that Duck is too cool!

[lesouder2222]

I have some footage of a northern watersnake on you tube but not as much as you... they are one beautiful snake. It is amazing to see them eat a fish in the water. i wish i had footage of that.......

[0utdoors4life]

I see snakes in my creek alot. I am terrified of them because I don't know what it is. Some of them are very colorful, its scary!! nice Vid 5/5!!!