Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon)

Short answers

Northern water snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

120×60×60 cm aqua-terrarium (a large water section).

Northern water snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 22–28 °C, basking spot 25–30 °C locally at the basking spot, at night 18–20 °C.

Northern water snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Recommended.

Northern water snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: around 9–10 years.

Northern water snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

22–28 °C

Night temperature

18–20 °C

Basking spot

25–30 °C locally at the basking spot

Humidity

60–70 %

UVB

Recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

120×60×60 cm aqua-terrarium (a large water section)

Substrate

Gravel or a soil-gravel mix on the land section, a large water basin

Feeding

Food

Fish (varied, low in thiaminase), amphibians, occasionally frozen mice; supplement with vitamin B1 if the diet is predominantly fish

Feeding interval

adults every 5–10 days (a higher metabolism)

Key facts

Adult size

60–135 cm (females averaging 81 cm, males 70 cm)

Life expectancy

around 9–10 years

Origin

North America (the temperate zone), near water

Protection status

—

Brumation

A winter rest or cool spell of ~2–3 months (a temperate species, for well-being and breeding)

Cohabitation

Singly or in groups (with care around feeding). Even where group keeping works, the feeding accident remains the risk: always feed them singly, ideally in separate boxes, and only house animals of roughly the same size together.

Notes

Semi-aquatic – it needs a large swimming area and clean water. Often nervous and bitey, and it releases musk; opisthoglyphous, with saliva harmless to humans. A cool overwintering is needed.

Do you keep this species?

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Related species

• Banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata) – Intermediate
• Plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) – Intermediate
• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) – Intermediate
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• Dekay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) – Intermediate
• Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) – Intermediate
• Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm aqua-terrarium (a large water section)), substrate (Gravel or a soil-gravel mix on the land section, a large water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.