Brown water snake

The brown water snake is a large, nonvenomous serpent indigenous to the southeastern United States. Frequently mistaken for the Lycodonomorphus rufulus of South Africa, this snake is also known by several other names, such as water-pilot, false moccasin, and water rattle.

These snakes are found from southeastern Virginia to Louisiana, primarily inhabiting coastal regions. They possess a robust build with a distinct neck and feature a brown or rusty-brown coloration with black blotches and yellow markings on their undersides. Brown water snakes can grow quite large, with adults reaching lengths of up to 69 inches.

Brown water snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Mating occurs in the spring, and females can produce broods ranging from 14 to 58 offspring, which are typically born in late summer. Females are generally larger than males, and the newborns measure approximately 7 to 10¾ inches in length.