General Description: Brown Water Snakes (Nerodia taxispilota) are nonvenomous, dark-colored, heavy-bodied snakes of the southern swamps that unfortunately, resemble venomous cottonmouths. They are dark with square blotches down the back, and similar blotches are offset along the sides. Normally brown, older and cold snakes may darken. The belly is pale white or yellow.

Brown Water Snakes feed primarily on fish and are seldom found far from water. Although nonvenomous, they are quick to deliver a painful bite.

Taxonomy: Colubrid Snakes Family (Colubridae).

Where to Find: Don't look for Brown Water Snakes around Las Vegas. Rather, look for them in swamps along the US southeast and Gulf coasts. These snakes were found in Corkscrew Swamp, Florida.