10 Different Types of Water Snakes

Water snakes are found in and around water bodies or wetlands in the United States.  But just how do you identify them, and how many types of water snakes are there?

Water snakes are nonvenomous harmless native snakes that live in wetlands. There are ten species of water snakes listed in the United States. They are Brown water snake, Concho, Diamondback, Florida Green, Harter’s, Mississippi Green, Plain-bellied, Southern, Northern, and Salt Marsh water snakes.

Water snakes are found abundantly in the US, living near rivers, marshlands, and lakes.  Here we discuss everything you need to know about water snakes and how to identify them when encountering one.

Table of Contents

10 Types of Water Snakes

Brown Water Snake – Nerodia taxispilota  

Saltmarsh Water Snake – Nerodia clarkii

Florida Green Water Snake – Nerodia floridana

Southern Water Snake – Nerodia fasciata

Concho water snake – Nerodia paucimaculata     

Diamondback water snake – Nerodia rhombifer   

Harter’s Water Snake / Brazos River Snake – Nerodia harteri

Mississippi Green water snake – Nerodia cyclopion  

Plain-bellied water snake – Nerodia erythrogaster

Northern water snake – Nerodia sipedon 

Conclusion

10 Types of Water Snakes

The most frequently encountered and most widespread snakes in the United States are Garter snakes and Water snakes.

Water snakes are of the subfamily Natricinae and are closely related to Garter snakes. Here listed are the ten species of water snakes.

Brown water snake – Nerodia taxispilota 

Concho water snake – Nerodia paucimaculata   

Diamondback water snake – Nerodia rhombifer 

Florida Green water snake – Nerodia floridana 

Harter’s water snake / Brazos River snake – Nerodia harteri

Mississippi Green water snake – Nerodia cyclopion  

Plain-bellied water snake – Nerodia erythrogaster (with four subspecies)

Southern water snake – Nerodia fasciata (with three subspecies)

Northern water snake – Nerodia sipedon (with four subspecies)

Salt Marsh water snake – Nerodia clarkii (with three subspecies) 

Water Snakes

Water snakes are non-venomous snakes found in the US that typically live around water.  Sometimes water snakes are confused with cottonmouths/water moccasin snakes.  Water moccasins are dangerous with a venomous bite.  People unable to tell the two species apart often kill … Read the rest of the story.