Northern Watersnake (Northern Water Snake)
A gray to reddish-brown snake with numerous dark brown, reddish-brown, or blackish crossbands along the front third of the body. The bands become blotches in the latter part of the body. The belly is cream-colored or yellowish with numerous black and reddish half-moon markings or spots. For defense, watersnakes bite viciously and secrete a strong-smelling musk from glands at the base of the tail.
Similar species: The midland watersnake (N. sipedon pleuralis), another subspecies, occurs in the southern third of Missouri. It is tan or reddish brown with brown or reddish-brown bands. Some are orangish with brown markings. It prefers clear, cool, gravel-bed streams. The subspecies overlap and interbreed, so some show traits of both. Watersnakes are confused with the venomous western cottonmouth and needlessly killed. Cottonmouths are heavier-bodied with a larger, chunky head; have a pit between the nostril and eye; are darker; and have a light line from each eye to the corner of the mouth.