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How to Identify a Nerodia Moccasin

The non-venomous Northern water snake is also known by the Latin name Nerodia sipedon and is sometimes confused with the venomous water moccasin. The two snakes share some of the same habitat and look similar. Looking like a water moccasin is one of the Nerodia sipedon's primary defenses. While this scares away predators, it also leads to people mistaking the Nerodia sipedon for a venomous snake and killing it.

Instructions

- 1
  Examine the shape of the snake's body. The Nerodia sipedon's body is long and slender, while water moccasins are shorter and wider in shape.
- 2
  Observe the snake's behavior. Nerodia sipedon is skittish and moves quickly, while water moccasins seem more aggressive and are less likely to try to escape if it is difficult. Watch how the snake moves. Water snakes swim underneath the surface when traveling through water but moccasins glide on top of the water.
- 3
  Look at the snake's coloring. Water moccasins have diamond or triangular shaped bands running across their bodies, similar to many large American rattlesnake species. Nerodia sipedon have similar bands that are lighter brown.
- 4
  Examine the snake's eyes. Non-venomous snakes such as Nerodia sipedon have round pupils, while venomous snakes like the water moccasin have narrow, slit-shaped pupils.

Nature