Eastern Copperhead vs. Common Watersnake

The most common snake mix-up in Indiana, and the one that gets harmless watersnakes killed. Look at the bands from above: a Copperhead's are hourglass-shaped, pinched narrow over the spine and wide on the sides. A Common Watersnake's run the other way — wide over the spine, breaking into alternating blotches down the body. A close look at the head settles it: the Copperhead has a vertical pupil and a pit between the eye and the nostril, the watersnake a round pupil and no pit. Watch either from a distance; do not pick one up to check.

Photographs via iNaturalist under Creative Commons licences; the photographers are credited on the sheet.

More comparisons

• Eastern Copperhead vs. Diamondback Watersnake
• Eastern Copperhead vs. Plain-bellied Watersnake
• Northern Cottonmouth vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Banded Watersnake vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Broad-banded Copperhead vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Mole Kingsnake vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Brown Watersnake vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Florida Cottonmouth vs. Eastern Copperhead
• Common Watersnake vs. Diamondback Watersnake
• Common Watersnake vs. Plain-bellied Watersnake
• Kirtland's Snake vs. Common Watersnake
• Queensnake vs. Common Watersnake
• Northern Cottonmouth vs. Common Watersnake
• Mississippi Green Watersnake vs. Common Watersnake
• Graham's Crawfish Snake vs. Common Watersnake
• Banded Watersnake vs. Common Watersnake
• Broad-banded Copperhead vs. Common Watersnake
• Glossy Swampsnake vs. Common Watersnake
• Brown Watersnake vs. Common Watersnake

Wildsight identifies the reptiles and amphibians of the United States. Every comparison