Reptiles
Brown Water Snake
Nerodia taxispilota · also called brown water snakes, false moccasin
Along a slow-moving southeastern river, several brown water snakes bask together on overhanging branches, their bulky, blotched bodies drawing an alarmed second look from passersby who assume they’ve spotted a group of venomous cottonmouths. None of them carry any venom at all.
Overview
The brown water snake, Nerodia taxispilota, is the largest water snake species native to North America, found across river and wetland habitat throughout the southeastern United States. Its uncanny resemblance to the venomous cottonmouth, reflected in its false moccasin nickname, makes it one of the most frequently misidentified snakes in its range.
Big, harmless, and often mistaken for something worse
The brown water snake’s genuine size and superficial resemblance to a venomous species combine to make it one of the more feared snakes it shares habitat with, despite being nothing more than a large, dedicated fish hunter with no venom to speak of.
Status
Least Concern — widespread and stable across suitable wetland and river habitat throughout the southeastern United States.
Brown Water Snake: common questions
Why is the brown water snake called the false moccasin?
A brown water snake is frequently mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth due to overlapping habitat, similar colouration, and defensive behaviour, a confusion significant enough to give the harmless brown water snake the informal nickname false moccasin, referencing the cottonmouth's own alternate common name.
How big does a brown water snake get?
The brown water snake is the largest water snake species native to North America, reaching a notably greater length and bulk than several of its smaller Nerodia relatives, an impressive size that further contributes to its intimidating, cottonmouth-like appearance.
Is the brown water snake dangerous?
No, despite its frequent confusion with the venomous cottonmouth, the brown water snake possesses no venom and poses no serious danger to humans, relying instead on fish as its primary prey and generally preferring to escape into water rather than confront a threat directly.
Where does the brown water snake live?
The brown water snake is native to rivers, swamps, and wetland habitat across the southeastern United States, generally favouring slow-moving or still water with abundant overhanging vegetation, where it can frequently be seen basking on branches in significant numbers.