Common Watersnakes, as the name implies, are very abundant in N.J. In the water they look black but when dry they have a pretty cool pattern to them, as you can see from the snake at the bottom of the photo. I once saw one that had a lot of color to it and looked more like a copperhead, which we also have in Jersey. When you try to catch them they are very aggresive and can give a nasty bite. They will also eject a foul smelling liquid from there tail end. I once saw one stuck in an empty killie trap. When I opened the trap to release it he regurgitated about a dozen killies then slid back into the water. I think they do this if confronted right after a meal in order to "lighten" the load.