Kerry McKenzie
Meet one of Jocassee’s most misunderstood inhabitants: the Northern Water Snake! Just look at that sweet face! Listen, ya’ll….. these snakes are nonvenomous and play an important role in keeping aquatic ecosystems healthy by feeding on fish, frogs, and other small critters. They are not cottonmouths! We don’t have cottonmouths on Jocassee! 😊 When threatened, they may flatten their heads and put on a dramatic show, but they’re usually just hoping you’ll give them a little space.
🌿 Nature lesson of the day: Not everything that looks “scary” is dangerous and every creature has a role to play in a healthy ecosystem! ~Kerry McKenzie, JLT naturalist guide and JWC director