Water Snake Swims Underwater Through Wetland Pond Grass Stock Image

Many of the New York snakes can be found in the water. The formal name watersnake applies to species in the genus Nerodia.The Northern Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) is probably the species with the widest range, including New York.Their body color tends to change depending on age and location, so often it’s not the best field identification clue. Knowing that it’s the only species in the state is the best clue. They tend to be large and bulky, so it’s difficult to misidentify them with the smaller swimming snakes such as garter snakes. Common Garter Snake Thamnophis sirtalis are the most common of all New York snakes.