Brown Watersnake

Snapshot

The brown watersnake is a large, heavy-bodied, fish-eating watersnake common on permanent rivers, canals, and reservoirs across much of Georgia outside the high mountains. Square brown blotches, keeled scales, and eyes set high and forward on a relatively narrow head are classic ID clues. Non-venomous and protected in Georgia — yet frequently killed when people assume any thick waterside snake is a cottonmouth. Leave alone; identify from a distance.

Photos

 Wikimedia Commons — draft use; see MANIFEST.md for license.

 Wikimedia Commons — draft use; see MANIFEST.md for license.

 Wikimedia Commons — draft use; see MANIFEST.md for license.

 Wikimedia Commons — draft use; see MANIFEST.md for license.

Description and identification

SREL: large semi-aquatic snakes about 30–60 inches, light to dark brown with large dark brown square blotches — one row down the midline and alternating rows on the sides. Belly usually light with brown splotches and black crescents. Strongly keeled scales; divided anal plate; head visibly wider than the neck (a triangular look that fuels cottonmouth confusion). Brown watersnakes have narrower heads than many other regional watersnakes; eyes sit high and close to the tip of the snout. Females are much larger than males.

Look-alikes

Cottonmouths (Agkistrodon) share water and a thick body; cottonmouths are pit vipers. Brown watersnakes lack heat pits, often climb higher on snags, and show square blotches rather than cottonmouth banding. Other Nerodia (banded, northern, plain-bellied) overlap in places — check blotch shape, belly pattern, and region. Learning watersnake vs cottonmouth traits saves harmless snakes.

Range in Georgia

Coastal Plain and Piedmont of the Southeast from southern Virginia through Florida; replaced west of eastern Alabama by diamond-backed watersnake (N. rhombifer). In Georgia and South Carolina: throughout except mountainous far north / extreme NW South Carolina. Full U.S. native range follows Atlantic/Gulf Coastal drainages of the Southeast — far broader than any single Georgia county map.

Full species range map

 Full native range (not Georgia-only). Wikimedia Commons Nerodia taxispilota distribution map. Georgia occurrence: SREL / GA DNR text above.

Habitat preferences

Most common in permanent flowing water — rivers, canals, blackwater cypress creeks — and large reservoirs. Less often in temporary wetlands than banded or plain-bellied watersnakes. Seldom far from water’s edge. Ideal sites have overhanging vegetation, emergent snags, or rocky banks for basking.

Natural history

Excellent swimmers and climbers; bask on vegetation or snags up to about 20 feet above water and may drop into a boat if startled. Mate in spring (groups of males may court females); live birth of about 20–60 young in late summer. Common and locally abundant where fish and permanent water persist.

Food preferences

Primarily fish, especially small catfish — ambush or active foraging along edges and bottoms of rivers and lakes.

Temperament and encounters

Not venomous, but will strike if cornered and can deliver a painful bite. Most people meet them as a dark shape on a snag or swimming past a dock. Give space; do not try to move or kill the snake.

Conservation and legal notes

Common regionally; protected throughout Georgia. Needless killing from cottonmouth misidentification is the main human threat highlighted by SREL.

In Georgia, non-venomous snakes are protected nongame wildlife. Per Georgia DNR materials summarizing O.C.G.A. §27-1-28, it is illegal (a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $1,000 fine and a year in jail) to possess or kill many nongame wildlife species, including non-venomous snakes. It is also illegal to disturb or destroy dens, holes, or homes of wildlife or to use explosives, chemicals, or other devices to drive wildlife from those homes (O.C.G.A. §27-1-30). DNR emphasizes ecological value; needless killing of watersnakes mistaken for cottonmouths remains a serious problem. Report what DNR states; do not invent exceptions.

Georgia DNR’s georgiasnakes overview notes that of native snake species, only the eastern indigo and southern hognose are state-listed as threatened among the non-venomous fauna discussed there (indigo also federally threatened). Population trends for common species still suffer from roads and fear-based killing. Educational ID — especially watersnakes vs cottonmouths and corn snakes vs copperheads — is conservation work.

If you meet one

Give the snake room. Identify from a distance; do not handle, poke, or try to kill it. Most encounters end when people simply step back and let the animal move on. If a snake is somewhere people or pets cannot safely share space, Georgia DNR points residents to private wildlife-removal specialists rather than do-it-yourself confrontation. Local educators and relocators — including community resources around Cartersville such as Etowah Valley Exotics when appropriate — can help with identification and, when needed, safe relocation and outreach.

This species is not venomous. A defensive bite from a watersnake or other colubrid can still be painful and should be cleaned; seek medical advice if needed. Do not confuse “harmless” with “handle freely” — leave wild snakes alone.

Crossing roads after rain is normal snake behavior — slow down rather than swerve wildly. Teach kids to admire from a distance. Never pour gasoline or chemicals into holes (illegal and cruel under Georgia wildlife den-protection rules). If you want help identifying a clear photo taken from a safe distance, local educators can often assist without anyone touching the animal.