NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: https://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/1544678
April 2026 • Nebraskaland 15 cottonmouth. Consequently, a lot of harmless snakes are unfairly accused and, often killed on sight. When they feel threatened, northern water snakes employ an arsenal of defensive tricks. The most obvious one is the bluff. They'll flatten their heads and bodies, which makes them look broader, almost like a triangle- headed venomous snake. They'll also hiss loudly and sometimes strike toward the threat without trying to bite, hoping to scare off whatever's bothering them. What if all that bluffing doesn't work? They'll bite. And bite. And bite again. These snakes don't have venom, but they do have dozens of tiny, needle-sharp teeth that can leave your hand looking like you lost a fight with a blackberry bush. Their saliva contains a mild anticoagulant, which means their bites tend to bleed more than you might expect — it looks dramatic, but it's not dangerous. If you really push their buttons, northern water snakes have one final, stinky trick up their sleeve: musk. When threatened, they can release a foul-smelling liquid that seeps into your clothes and seems impossible to wash out. A lot of people assume this musk is just snake poop, but that's not quite true. While both musk and feces exit from the same opening —the cloaca — they're different substances. Musk comes from specialized scent glands, while feces is simply the digested leftovers of their last meal. Note that northern water snakes don't chase people. They're not out to pick fights on riverbanks. Every display — the flattening, the hissing, even the biting — is about one thing: Convincing you to back off so they can get away. When left alone, these snakes prefer to slip quietly into the water and vanish. When Water Snakes Board Your Boat If you spend enough time paddling or fishing, you might eventually spot a northern water snake climbing onto a kayak, canoe or even a boat dock. While this can make your heart skip a beat, the snake isn't "attacking" or trying to hitch a ride, it's looking for the easiest way out of the water. Like us, snakes can get tired after a long swim and will seek out the nearest solid surface to rest and warm up. Boats, docks and even the sides of kayaks make convenient "logs" in their eyes. Once they've caught their breath or warmed up a bit, they usually slip back into the water on their own. The best thing you can do is stay calm, give the snake a little space and avoid splashing or swatting. It's not looking for trouble — just a moment to bask before moving on. Water Moccasin vs. Northern Water Snake It's easy to see why people mistake the northern water snake for the water moccasin, or cottonmouth. Northern water snakes have slender bodies with round pupils and a narrow, more oval-shaped head that blends smoothly into their neck, while cottonmouths have stockier, heavier bodies and a distinct blocky triangular head. Color can be tricky — both can have dark bands — but cottonmouths tend to have wider, "chunkier" bands and a more uniform, dull tone as they age, often turning nearly solid brown or black. Another giveaway? Cottonmouths have that famous "cotton-white" mouth lining they flash when threatened, while northern water snakes don't have that dramatic display. And here's the most important clue that Nebraskans should remember — cottonmouths simply aren't found in the state. But the fascinating water snake is. A common water snake suns itself on a fallen tree at Stagecoach State Recreation Area. These nonvenomous snakes are often misidentified as the venomous cottonmouth. ERIC FOWLER, NEBRASKALAND