The Brown Water Snake: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior

Biology
Brown water snakes aren’t fully aquatic snakes; they are semi-aquatic snake species. These snakes have different nicknames, such as great water snake, water pilots, aspic, water rattle, water rattler, pied water snake, and fake moccasin. The biological name of the brown water snake is Nerodia Tqaxispilota. The body of this snake is bulky. The brown water snake’s neck is quite thin if compared to their head. The brown water snake is brown to rusty brown speaking of their body color. Every brown water snake has more than 20 colored squares on their skin. You can find these colored squares on the belly of these snakes, around their eyes, and on their jaw. Brown water snake’s belly is yellow to brown in color and it has brown to black splotches on it. Brown water snakes measure 40 to 60 inches in length. The longest brown water snake was 70 inches long. Male brown water snakes are smaller than female brown water snakes. Their nostrils and eyes can be found on the top of their head. You can find approximately 30 dorsal scales on the back of this snake.

Habitat
The brown water snake mainly lives in water. However, these snakes sometimes come out of the water to live on the ground. You can find brown water snakes living in rivers and streams all across southern Virginia, California, and Florida. You can also find these snakes in Georgia. Brown water snakes are common in canals and in cypress creeks. You can also find brown water snakes in saw grass prairies, bottomland forests, tidal marshes, and in hardwood hammocks.

Behavior
Brown water snakes are equally active during the day and the night. You can often find these snakes basking on tree branches near the water. They do that when they aren’t hunting. These snakes aren’t poisonous. However, if they bite you, they will put you into a lot of pain. Brown water snakes are excellent divers, swimmers, and climbers.

Diet
The diet of a brown water snake is mainly based on fish. Besides they eat fish, brown water snakes also eat worms, frogs, and rodents. Brown water snakes sometimes hunt other snakes and eat them.

Reproduction
Brown water snakes mate from April to May. These snakes give birth in the late summer. Brown water snakes can give birth to up to 60 young snakes. The Brown Water Snake: Appearance, biology, life cycle, habitat, diet, behavior