If immediate water escape is prevented, what secondary defense follows the vigorous striking of a cornered Northern Water Snake?
Answer
Musk expulsion
When a Northern Water Snake feels trapped and its primary escape route—the water—is blocked, it initiates a dramatic, escalating defensive sequence. Following the initial, agitated display involving striking and biting, if the perceived threat still persists, the snake's next line of defense is chemical deterrent. This involves musk expulsion, where the snake releases a foul-smelling liquid stored in its cloaca, intended to make itself unappealing to a potential predator. If this too fails, the snake may then enter tonic immobility, sometimes accompanied by emptying its bowels, presenting the most extreme measure of last resort.
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