I find that some snakes see in shades and shadows. A light may produce moving shadows which the snake may follow as prey. Or maybe he just likes you now. :)

Another possible theory is that insects are attracted to light, which in turn attracts frogs, which in turn attracts snakes. So maybe the snake associates lights at night with frogs and a meal.

Dave

It may be simple curiosity. I've had water snakes come away from the bank and swim right up to the side of my kayak and simply stare at me.

Wduzak, I think you might be right about the curiosity, it doesn't appear to be an agressive approach.

Just wondering, is there a way to tell if he is preparing to strike? I'm not real thrilled about having it in my pond but so far he really hasn't posed any threat to me.

HEY! get back home, girl!
just kidding, you are in the right place to find your answers. good luck with snakes and snappers.

Snakes that are preparing to strike will rear up and back in a characteristic "S" shape. Watersnakes that are being defensive will flatten out and widen their heads, making them look more like a venomous snake. I've never EVER heard of a Watersnake actually biting a person, unprovoked, so I would have to say that the snake is simply being nosey, or as DaveOdd suggested, it's learned to associate light with a food source. Light attracts insects, which attract fish and frogs, which are the primary diet of a Watersnake.

Sharon McKenzie

Hey FTM - I dunno if the heron keeps visiting I may be spending ALL my time here when the only thing it leaves me is snakes and snappers!

Sharon, thanks so much for the help, I wasn't sure if all snakes coiled to attack - but now I will know what to look for in case he shows signs of feeling threatened, very interesting about the flattening out.

I don't think you need to worry about being bitten because you would have to go out-of-your-way to create a situation. It's kind of like a bee flying around you. Unless you slap at or grab it the bee hasn't the least inclination to sting you.
I imagine a loud "Booo" would turn this snake around.
I've encountered lots and lots of water snakes and the only way I have been able to get them to bite is to grab them.

Boo might not work since I don't think snakes can hear your voice, but footsteps will eventually send most water snakes a scurrying.

How much time do they spend out of water? I have only seen it out of the water once in three years - that's not to say he doesn't come out, I just never see it out of the pond.

When he is in the water, he really doesn't seem to have any fear of me. He seems to have a favorite spot and stays there, watching me. Do you think he is just getting used to me being around?

Here are some pictures....

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Funny how you mention

Just got from my pond fishing.had my head lamp on turned it of for a few.turned back snake was right up headed me out of the water he kind scurried,10 minutes came back again,trying to get closer to see what kind.wasnt very big but looked like a young cotton mouth.then there was headed the bank,10 minutes there he was again wanting to come up on bank.it was hard to tell if he was swimming on top of water.it was very.didnt have block head,but he was young.i guess I won't be going back there at night haha