A Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon) navigates the brackish waters of a Chesapeake Bay tributary, likely in search of fish and amphibian prey. These non-venomous snakes are known to eat everything from sculpins to leopard frogs. Predators include Eastern kingsnakes, raccoons, largemouth bass, and snapping turtles. This snake was about 4 feet long. | Virginia Institute of Marine Science

Northern watersnakes group together to brumate in a den during the winter. Unlike hibernating animals that sleep, brumating animals are awake but inactive. During warm spells, snakes may temporarily emerge from their winter den, like this watersnake spotted last week. 🐍 | Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife