Story: Adam found the large watersnake above while canoeing near Long Point on Lake Erie in 2020. The snake was basking on a log over the water, and measured an estimated four feet long. 

Did you know? 

• Average size is 61-106.7 cm, record size is 140.5 cm (four and a half feet) 

• Northern watersnakes are harmless to humans, but often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth snake, a poisonous snake that lives in the southern United States

• Some older northern watersnakes appear almost black, as their patterns may fade or be obscured

• Often found swimming across rivers and lakes, or on shore sunning themselves 

• Feeds on fish, frogs, other snakes, small birds, crayfish, turtles, leeches, large insects