Eastern Green Watersnake

Snapshot

The eastern (Florida) green watersnake is North America’s largest watersnake — a heavy, mostly plain greenish-brown semi-aquatic snake of still, vegetation-choked waters in southern Georgia. Georgia DNR lists it among the state’s non-venomous snakes. It is harmless to people if left alone, but like other watersnakes it is frequently killed when mistaken for a cottonmouth. Identify from a distance and leave it alone.

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.

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

Description and identification

According to University of Georgia Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL) accounts used widely alongside Georgia DNR snake resources, Nerodia floridana adults commonly reach about 30–55 inches. Adults are generally solid greenish to brownish with a plain whitish belly. Juveniles show about 50 dark bars on the back and sides that fade with age. A series of subocular scales separates the eye from the upper lip — a useful ID trait among Georgia watersnakes. Females are generally larger than males and have shorter tails. Keeled scales and a divided anal plate place it with other natricine watersnakes. It was once treated as a subspecies of the western green watersnake (Nerodia cyclopion).

Look-alikes

Often confused with cottonmouths because of bulk, aquatic habits, and a head that can look wider than the neck when the snake is alert. Cottonmouths are venomous pit vipers with heat-sensing pits and (usually) a more distinctly patterned or dark adult look; green watersnakes lack pits and have the subocular scale row noted above. Other watersnakes (Nerodia) may share habitat; banded and plain-bellied watersnakes usually show stronger banding or a bright plain belly rather than a uniformly greenish adult dorsum. When unsure, give any waterside snake space — many “moccasin” reports are harmless Nerodia.

Range in Georgia

SREL describes Florida green watersnakes as endemic to the Southeast: throughout Florida and parts of southern Georgia, with isolated populations in western and southern South Carolina. Georgia DNR lists the eastern green watersnake on the state non-venomous list; treat southern Coastal Plain occurrence as the Georgia footprint and hedge range margins. Across the U.S., the full native range is the Florida peninsula and adjacent southern Atlantic Coastal Plain — not a statewide Georgia map.

Full species range map

 Full native range (not Georgia-only). Wikimedia Commons distribution map — see maps attribution / MANIFEST. Georgia occurrence: SREL / GA DNR text above.

Habitat preferences

Prefers vegetation-choked still waters: swamps and marshes, also lakes, ponds, ditches, slow rivers, and occasionally brackish water.

Natural history

Primarily diurnal, though individuals move across roads at night. Mating in spring; live birth of roughly 10–100 young from late June to early August. SREL research notes populations in isolated wetlands can be hit hard by drought compared with some other watersnakes. Not venomous; will bite if grabbed.

Food preferences

Diet is incompletely documented; presumed primarily larval and adult amphibians and fish (including small fishes / minnows at twilight).

Temperament and encounters

Like other large watersnakes, they defend themselves if cornered but are not aggressive seekers of people. Most trouble comes from mistaken identity and attempts to kill the snake. Leave them alone; watch from a distance if you are curious.

Conservation and legal notes

SREL notes the species does better in Florida but ranks as state-imperiled (S2) in Georgia and South Carolina because of a restricted range. Road mortality and past pesticide impacts are cited concerns. Protected throughout Georgia as a non-venomous snake.

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.