Water Snake On Log
Common water snakes come in all shapes and sizes. In general, common water snakes know that they are not equipped with venom and so they huff and puff and try to make themselves as imposing as possible. This allows them to survive on a lake or river filled with potential dangers. The cottonmouth is well known even to the wildlife surrounding water sources. Most animals know that the cottonmouth has a dangerous bite, and so they avoid them at all costs.
The common water snakes use this to their advantage. They will often gape their mouths open just like a cottonmouth, and puff up their bodies to make themselves appear more large and dangerous. They also are quick to strike and can deliver a nasty, although non-venomous snake bite.
If you are bitten by a water snake, it is still important that you receive medical attention. The bacteria and other dangers that you encounter with a snake bite is much the same as a bite from any wild animal. They can become infected and that can lead to all kinds of problems.
The key to avoiding these water snakes is to understand their habits. Water snakes like to stay hidden, unless they are sunning themselves. They like to do this on top of rocks, tree stumps, fallen trees and the like. If you are near any of these things, particularly around water, then you should be on the lookout for water snakes. This is also true of the cottonmouth of course.
Another key to avoiding water snakes is to be very aware when boating around the edges of the water. Many times these water snakes are in trees overhanging the water. If you drift by and bump a branch, you could easily have a boating surprise drop down into your vessel.
In spite of their aggressive nature, water snakes are just wanting to get away from you. If you leave them alone, they will follow suit as well.
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I totally disagree with the assessment of Water Snakes being “aggressive”. In fact, I would not characterize ANY snake as “aggressive”, since that implies that they go out of their way to bite/attack people, which is absolutely NOT the case at all! I’ve got considerable experience with many species of Nerodia, since I’m one of a handful of breeders actually working with this genus in captivity. I currently own four different species, and I have not found Water Snakes to be any worse about biting than Corns, Rat Snakes, Garters or many other commonly-kept Colubrids. And yes, I’ve been bitten. If you recommend seeking medical attention for paper cuts, briar scratches, skinned knees, hang-nails, small splinters and other minor skin breaks, I can see the justification in spending hundreds of dollars, maybe thousands, and tying up the ER over a Water Snake bite, otherwise those should be treated like any other minor skin break-wash with warm water and soap, maybe flush with hydrogen peroxide, and forget about it. I’ve caught and handled many Water Snakes which would make no attempt to bite at all, and I’ve never had one which did not become “puppy-dog tame”, more trustworthy than many Corns and Ball Pythons, within a day or two. Water Snakes are probably the most underrated group of native US snakes as captives, with the potential for some internesting color mutations, that breeders are only just now beginning to discover, and they do not deserve their reputation as “mean” or “aggressive” snakes at all.