This video shows a very active Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) possibly looking for a mate. The video was taken in late spring during the mating season.
The Northern Water Snake is the most commonly seen aquatic snake in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Coloration varies widely depending up on age, whether the snake is wet or dry and other factors. Northern water snakes hunt for frogs, fish, salamanders and invertebrates in shallow fresh and brackish water. After mating in the late spring, female snakes carry the eggs and give birth to live baby snakes (average 20!) in August. These snakes are nonvenomous and try to avoid people but will bite if threatened. Note that the dark bands of the water snake are wider on the back and narrower towards the belly. This is the opposite configuration for copperheads (copperheads have 'Hershey kisses' dark bands that widen towards the belly). As with any other snake you see in the wild, please keep your distance and let them do their thing. They are important to overall ecosystem health!

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