About the Brown Water Snake
Sometimes mistaken for a water moccasin, the brown water snake is not nearly as dangerous.
A non-venomous snake living in the southeastern United States, this one typically sticks to itself and lives around water. It stays away from humans and other predators and is unlikely to hurt you.
While it is not dangerous, it is a wild animal and it does have similarities to a venomous snake. For your own sake, you will want to keep your distance.
Appearance
Dark brown and growing up to about 5 feet, most staying around a few feet, the dark brown water snake has a familiar look to it.
It has a fully dark brown body with darker brown splotches on its body and a lighter underbelly. The head and neck are small and narrow, with a thick body.
Its appearance is somewhat similar to a venomous snake – the water moccasin. Due to this, they oftentimes get mistaken for one another.
Life
Mating in spring and giving birth in the summer, the brown water snakes give live birth. They have the eggs inside of them and the babies come out alive when the time comes.
Behavior
The brown water snake likes to live around water and keep to itself. It is not highly aggressive, nor is it venomous, so it does not pose a risk to people.
Even so, like any other wild animal, it prefers to stay away from humans and may attack if threatened. Usually, though, it is going to attempt to hide or swim off if it can, as it does stay in the water often, as you may guess by the name.
Habitat
The brown water snake is an aquatic snake. It lives near water, like swamps, and will stick close to the edge or stay in the water for the most part.
This is part of the reason they oftentimes get mistaken for the water moccasin, on top of their appearance. They both stick close to water and have similar preferences.
Diet
Like most snakes, especially those living near water, the brown water snake will eat tons of fish, frogs, and small rodents. If it lives on the water’s edge, or comes near it or lives in it, the brown water snake is likely to grab it up for food.
There is no reason to fear the brown water snake. Though it may look like a venomous snake, it is harmless and would prefer to be left alone.
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