Conservation Status: Protected (FWCA); Lake Erie Water Snake Only: Endangered (SARA; COSEWIC)

Size: 135 cm (53 ”)

Defining feature(s): Water snakes are heavy bodied snakes with keeled scales and pattern of light and dark bands crossing the body.  The ventral scales typically have half moon shaped spots running the length of the body.  The Lake Erie Water Snake is typically more uniform in colour as an adult. Juveniles of both forms are more boldly patterned with more contrasting light and dark bands.

Other features: The head often seems small relative to the thick body.  Some individuals may be very dark in colour making the banding pattern difficult to detect.  However, the pattern becomes more obvious when the snakes are wet.

Habitat: Never found far from large bodies of water.  Equally comfortable along large rivers and lakes where they may be found basking along the shore or in low vegetation along the water’s edge.

Reproduction: Mating occurs in the spring and females give birth to broods of 10-20 live young in the late summer.