The snake people kill at the creek, thinking it is a water moccasin. It is not. Cottonmouths are not established here.

A stout nonvenomous snake. Banded when young, dark and blotchy when old. Flattened head when frightened. Found in and along water. Bites hard and musk-sprays if grabbed — not venomous.

Habitat

Laughery Creek, farm ponds, river backwaters.

Season

April–October.

Size

24–42 in

Field marks

No pits; round pupils; always near water

Indiana is north of established cottonmouth range. A dark snake in Dearborn water is a watersnake. Leave it; it eats fish and frogs.