Common Watersnake - Blog Posts

Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), juvenile, taken May 22, 2025, in Georgia, US

My first (and hopefully not last) snake of the year: a tiny watersnake! This guy couldn't have been very old. I would actually guess based on his size that he was very recently born! The little creek I found him in will provide a great place to begin life, full of small fish, salamander larvae, and invertebrates for this baby to eat until he's large enough to eat bigger prey and swim long distances.

Unlike most other snakes, N. sipedon is ovoviviparous, meaning eggs develop and hatch inside the mother before being laid, and the mother gives birth directly to baby snakes! Upon being born, these babies are immediately independent and soon leave the mother, who can give birth to—in extreme cases—up to 30 babies!

Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon), juvenile, taken September 2, 2024, in Georgia, US

I found this little guy while flipping rocks in my creek looking for salamanders! I'm obsessed with how the water makes his face look angry while he's submerged, but he's adorable and friendly looking when he pokes his head out. I don't see enough snakes! Literature says they're all around me, but clearly they don't want to be friends because they never show themselves!!