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Definition of northern water snake
northern water snake
Plural:northern water snakes
northern water snake Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
6
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A large, nonvenomous colubrid snake native to the eastern and central regions of North America, typically found in or near freshwater habitats and known for its dark, banded patterns.
Example
"While kayaking along the riverbank, we spotted a Northern water snake basking on a sunlit rock."
Word Nuance & Usage
The Northern water snake is frequently mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth (water moccasin) due to its similar banded pattern and aquatic habitat, despite being completely nonvenomous.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive common name reflecting its geographic distribution across northern and central North America, its aquatic habitat, and its biological classification (species Nerodia sipedon).
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Northern water snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 12, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/northern water snake