A case of ‘mis-snaken' identity

As we get outdoors more to enjoy summer’s end, we’re bound to encounter snakes. It seems that every time we hear about one, it’s enormous, fierce, and poisonous. We hear mention of “water moccasins” here in the Hudson Valley, with terrifying tales of close calls with the fangs of these deadly serpents of lake and stream. Only one problem, though — water moccasins live nowhere near here. The farthest north that water moccasins, aka cottonmouths, are found is the southernmost coastal tip of Virginia. The fearsome brown serpents that we see in and around our lakes and streams are northern water snakes, which, while more temperamental than any copperhead or rattler, are nonvenomous. This shouldn’t give us the go-ahead to simply handle any terrifying snake we see near water. Copperheads and rattlers have been known, on rare occasion, to take a dip. More often than not, though, the fat, brown, menacing-looking snakes we see in and around water are, despite their triangular heads and bad attitudes, non-venomous northern water snakes. These fascinating reptiles are more noticeable in our area in August, when the streams are lower than usual, and small fish are stranded in separate, shrinking pools. It’s during this time that the water snake looms over pools of fish, lunging in and emerging with dinner flopping in its jaws. They’re fast enough to take frogs as well, and to stand their ground against interlopers such as raccoons, coyotes, and people. Your best bet is to leave these, and all other snakes, alone. The water snake, although nonvenomous, can tear human skin with its bite, and its dubious oral hygiene presents a clear threat of infection. This fascinating fishing reptile is best observed from beyond striking distance.