Water Snakes, snakes that live chiefly in water. With the exception of the water moccasin, all water snakes in the United States are harmless to humans. They are stout-bodied, large-headed snakes that live on fish, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, insects, and earth worms. The various species range from 22 inches to 6 feet (56 to 183 cm) in length. The common water snake, light-brown and barred with darker bands, grows to 3 ½ feet (1 m) long.

The common water snake is Natrix sipedon sipedon of the family Colubridae.