Brown Watersnake

Brown Watersnake

Nerodia taxispilota

Silhouette: Beth Reinke · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered Endemic
Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely
at Congaree National Park
170 Verified sightings at Congaree National Park From 2019 to 2026
664 Verified sightings across all 3 parks From 2019 to 2026
May Best month highest sighting rate
☀️🌙 Day & Night When it's spotted Active throughout day and night

About the Brown Watersnake

The brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota) is a large species of nonvenomous natricine snake endemic to the southeastern United States. This snake is often one of the most abundant species of snakes found in rivers and streams of the southeastern United States, yet many aspects of its natural history are poorly known. Due to abundance and distribution throughout its biological range, this species could be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on aquatic ecosystems by studying their movements.

Lycodonomorphus rufulus is sometimes also called the brown water snake, but L. rufulus is found in South Africa. Its common names include brown water snake, water-pilot, aspic, false moccasin, great water snake, pied water snake, southern water snake, and water rattle. Nerodia taxispilota is found in lower coastal regions from southeastern Virginia, through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to northern and western Florida (Gulf Coast), then west through Alabama, and Mississippi, to Louisiana, normally from sea level to 500 ft. (150 m) elevation.

The brown water snake is very heavy-bodied, and its neck is distinctly narrower... Wikipedia →

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Congaree National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~60%
2 Big Cypress National Preserve 🇺🇸 United States
~50%
3 Everglades National Park 🇺🇸 United States
~20%

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Brown Watersnake in Congaree National Park?

About 60% of wildlife watchers report a Brown Watersnake sighting in Congaree National Park, based on 170 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Brown Watersnake in Congaree National Park?

May has the highest sighting rate for Brown Watersnake in Congaree National Park in our monthly data.

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