Northern Water Snakes are common and live (DUH) in water. Look for them to be basking on rocks, logs, and in brush around ponds and lakes. This is a youngster, about 1-1/2 feet long, that I found swimming in a culvert. These snakes bear live young, up to 30 at a time, and provide no care for their children. Predators include raccoons, birds, other snakes, and snapping turtles to name a few while they eat almost everything that comes within reach. They are cranky snakes and will bite if bothered, but they are not venomous. The bright pattern on this baby will grow darker as it ages, and when totally grown (4 feet or better) will often appear dark brown or black with the pattern barely noticeable. Northern Water Snakes are common and live (DUH) in water. Look for them to be basking on rocks, logs, and in brush around ponds and lakes. This is a youngster, about 1-1/2 feet long, that I found swimming in a culvert. These snakes bear live young, up to 30 at a time, and provide no care for their children. Predators include raccoons, birds, other snakes, and snapping turtles to name a few, while the snakes eat almost everything that comes within reach. They are cranky snakes and will bite if bothered, but they are not venomous. The bright pattern on this baby will grow darker as it ages, and when totally grown (4 feet or better) will often appear dark brown or black with the pattern barely noticeable. Sorry for the quality of the picture - I was pretty high up and the culvert was dark, but it seemed nice to show how the coloration is so clear and bright as opposed to the adults I have pictured. This little guy is under water except for its head.