Fig. 16. Water Snake, Natrix sipedon sipedon. This is the common brown water snake, 

 which is broadly distributed and so frequently seen along the margins of ponds and 

 brooks, near the crevices of foundations of old bridges, or lurking among the flat 

 stones of disintegrated dams. It is improperly called "water moccasin," a name 

 confusing it with a poisonous water snake of the southern States. There is no 



poisonous water snake in the northeast. 



Fig. 17. (Lower) Young Water Snake, showing distinct markings. Old specimens 



are usually dull brown above. 



