Brown Water Snake
Scientific Name: Nerodia taxispilota
Photo Credits: JD Wilson
Found in rivers and large streams in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina, brown water snakes eat catfish. They are often mistaken for cottonmouths because of brown skin with squarish blotches running down the center of their back, but they are non-venomous. The snake has a square head, and females grow much larger than males.
Explore the full species profile, including their habitat, diet, and behavior on Herps of NC.