Wildlife Wednesday – The Common Watersnake

We haven’t forgotten about Wildlife Wednesday! Today we spotlight the common watersnake. 🐍 And this little one we found today while hiking the boardwalk at Triangle Lake Bog State Nature Preserve.
This stout-bodied snake shows extreme variations in color and pattern, and is unfortunately confused by many with the venomous water moccasin, or cottonmouth. The cottonmouth, however, does not inhabit Ohio. This snake can reach up to 42 inches.
Common watersnakes are particularly fond of basking, and can often be seen sunning upon emerged logs, stumps, and rocks, or on low branches overhanging the water. They are very wary and, when disturbed, drop into the water and disappear quickly.
Information courtesy of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources