Water snakes are a type of semiaquatic snake that can be found in various parts of the world. There are many different species of water snakes, each with their own unique characteristics and habitats.
In this article, we will explore eight types of water snakes found in the United States, including the Diamondback Water Snake, Brown Water Snake, Banded Water Snake, Northern Water Snake, Plain-bellied Watersnake, Northern Cottonmouth, Broad-banded Watersnake, and Graham’s Crayfish Snake.
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We will also discuss some other types of water snakes found in Oklahoma and other parts of the world.
8 Types Of Water Snakes
Diamondback Water Snake
The Diamondback Water Snake, also known as Nerodia rhombifer, is a nonvenomous natricine colubrid that is endemic to the central United States and northern Mexico.
Here are some interesting facts about the Diamondback Water Snake:
Appearance:
– Predominantly brown, dark brown, or dark olive green in color, with a black net-like pattern along the back, with each spot being vaguely diamond-shaped.
– Dark vertical bars and lighter coloring are often present down the sides of the snake.
– The underside is generally a yellow or lighter brown color, often with black blotching.
Habitat:
– The Diamondback Water Snake is commonly found in aquatic habitats such as rivers, streams, lakes, and swamps.
– It is frequently found basking on branches over water, and when approached, it will quickly drop into the water and swim away.
– When foraging for food, the Diamondback Water Snake will hang on branches suspended over the water, dipping its head under the surface of the water until it encounters a fish or other prey.
Behavior:
– If cornered, the Diamondback Water Snake will often hiss and flatten the head and body to appear larger.
– It only typically resorts to biting if physically harassed or handled.
Size:
– The Diamondback Water Snake is the largest North American water snake, with most adults reaching a total length (including tail) of 3 to 5 feet (91 to 152cm) .
– Adult body lengths usually range from 3 to 5 feet.
The Diamondback Water Snake is an extremely common species of water snake and is found in many parts of the United States.
Brown Water Snake
The Brown Water Snake, also known as Nerodia taxispilota, is a large species of nonvenomous natricine snake that is endemic to the southeastern United States. Here are some interesting facts about the Brown Water Snake:
Appearance:
– The Brown Water Snake is a heavy-bodied snake that can grow up to 30-60 inches (76-152 cm) in total length.
– It has a distinctively narrow neck compared to its head.
– The dorsal side of the snake is brown or rusty brown with a row of about 25 black or dark brown, square blotches down its back, with smaller similar blotches alternating on the sides.
– The ventral side is yellow and heavily marked with black or dark brown.
– It has more dorsal scales in 27-33 rows than any other North American water snake, and it has two to four anterior temporals (usually one in others).
Habitat:
– The Brown Water Snake is a semi-aquatic snake that is often found in rivers and streams of the southeastern United States.
– It is also found in swamps, marshes, and other wetland habitats.
Behavior:
– The Brown Water Snake is a nonvenomous snake, but it is often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth snake.
– It is a good swimmer and can often be seen basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
– When threatened, the Brown Water Snake will often flatten its body and hiss loudly to intimidate predators.
Common Names:
– The Brown Water Snake has several common names, including water-pilot, aspic, false moccasin, great water snake, pied water snake, southern water snake, and water rattle.
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The Brown Water Snake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Banded Water Snake
The Banded Water Snake, also known as Nerodia fasciata, is a species of mostly aquatic, nonvenomous, colubrid snakes that are commonly found in the Midwest, Southeastern United States, and the Caribbean. Here are some interesting facts about the Banded Water Snake:
Appearance:
– Adults of the Banded Water Snake measure from 61.0 to 107 cm (24.0 to 42.1 in) in total length, with a record size (in the Florida subspecies) of 158.8 cm (62.5 in) in total length.
– The coloration of the Banded Water Snake is variable, with snakes having broad black, brown, or red crossbands (often bordered with black) down the back.
– The lighter, narrower bands are tan, gray, or reddish and may contain a dark spot on the side.
– The light bands may be broken by a black strip down the middle of the back.
Habitat:
– The Banded Water Snake is a semi-aquatic snake that is often found in rivers, streams, swamps, and other wetland habitats.
– It is also found in marshes, ponds, and lakes.
Behavior:
– When threatened, Banded Water Snakes flatten their bodies to appear larger and emit a foul musk from their anal glands, and bite repeatedly.
– They will slash sideways when biting to tear the flesh of the attacker.
Reproduction:
– The Banded Water Snake is viviparous, giving birth to live young.
– The brood size varies from 15 to 20 young born in late July or August.
– Newborns are 200–240 mm (about 8.0–9.5 in) in total length.
Subspecies:
– There are three recognized subspecies of N. fasciata, including the nominotypical subspecies, the Florida Banded Water Snake (N. f. pictiventris), and the Concho Water Snake (N. f. confluens).
The Banded Water Snake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Northern Water Snake
The Northern Water Snake, also known as Nerodia sipedon, is a species of nonvenomous, common snake in the family Colubridae. Here are some interesting facts about the Northern Water Snake:
Appearance:
– Northern Water Snakes range in size from 24 to 55 inches (61-140 cm) in length.
– They are fairly dark-colored snakes and may be brown, tan, or grayish.
– The body is usually tan to gray with brown or reddish crossbands alternating with dark blotches on the sides.
– Markings are more prevalent on younger snakes, while adults tend to darken, resulting in plain, dark coloration.
– The scales are keeled (raised along the center of each scale).
Habitat:
– Northern Water Snakes are found throughout the eastern half of the United States, especially in the Northeast and Midwest.
– They like a wide variety of aquatic habitats, including slow-moving or standing water near places where they can bask in the sun, such as ponds, vernal pools (seasonal pools of water), and lakes.
Behavior:
– Northern Water Snakes are nonvenomous and harmless to humans, but they are often mistaken for the venomous cottonmouth.
– They are excellent swimmers and can often be seen basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
– When threatened, Northern Water Snakes will flatten their bodies to appear larger and emit a foul musk from their anal glands, and bite repeatedly.
Subspecies:
– There are four subspecies of Northern Water Snake: Lake Erie, Coastal Plain, Midland, and Northern.
The Northern Water Snake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Plain-bellied Watersnake
The Plain-bellied Watersnake, also known as Nerodia erythrogaster, is a species of semi-aquatic, non-venomous colubrid snake that is endemic to the United States. Here are some interesting facts about the Plain-bellied Watersnake:
Appearance:
– The Plain-bellied Watersnake is a large, thick-bodied, mostly patternless snake, with a generally beige underside.
– Some snakes display a thin, white line between the pale belly and their darker top scales.
– Subspecies can range from dark brown, gray, and olive-green to greenish-gray or blackish in color.
– Some lighter-colored individuals have dark dorsal patterns.
– Plain-bellied Watersnakes can be distinguished from other water snakes by their “plain”, patternless undersides, which vary in color from light reddish hues to beige.
Habitat:
– The Plain-bellied Watersnake is a semiaquatic snake that is often found in rivers, streams, swamps, and other wetland habitats.
– It is also found in marshes, ponds, and lakes.
Behavior:
– The Plain-bellied Watersnake is nonvenomous and harmless to humans.
– It is often seen lying on logs and vegetation in swampy habitats, but can also be found under surface objects, such as boards and litter.
– When threatened, the Plain-bellied Watersnake will attempt to escape, bite, or release a foul odor.
Reproduction:
– The Plain-bellied Watersnake is viviparous, giving birth to live young.
– The brood size varies from 5 to 37 young born alive in late summer.
– Mating occurs from April through June.
The Plain-bellied Watersnake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Northern Cottonmouth
The Northern Cottonmouth, also known as Agkistrodon piscivorus, is a venomous, semiaquatic snake that is native to the southeastern United States. Here are some interesting facts about the Northern Cottonmouth:
Appearance:
– The Northern Cottonmouth is a heavy-bodied snake that can grow up to 48-72 inches (122-183 cm) in length.
– It is dark olive brown to nearly black in color, with dark crossbands on its body.
– The head is triangular and often has a dark line through the eye.
– The eyes are large and have vertical pupils.
Habitat:
– The Northern Cottonmouth is found in the southeastern United States, from Virginia to Florida and west to Texas.
– It prefers aquatic habitats such as swamps, marshes, and slow-moving streams.
Behavior:
– The Northern Cottonmouth is a venomous snake, but it is not aggressive and will usually try to escape when threatened.
– It is a good swimmer and can often be seen basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
– When threatened, the Northern Cottonmouth will open its mouth wide to display the white lining of its mouth, which is where it gets its common name.
Feeding:
– Northern Cottonmouths have an unusual feeding adaptation that allows them to adhere to prey through rotation of their head during swallowing because it aids the jaws in clearing the prey and contributes to the advance of the jaws along the prey.
Subspecies:
– The Northern Cottonmouth was previously classified into three subspecies: the eastern cottonmouth, western cottonmouth, and Florida cottonmouth.
– However, a molecular-based study published in 2014 changed the taxonomy, recognizing two species and no subspecies.
– The western cottonmouth was synonymized with the eastern cottonmouth into one species, with the oldest published name, A. p. piscivorus, having priority.
The Northern Cottonmouth is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Broad-banded Watersnake
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The Broad-banded Watersnake, also known as Nerodia fasciata confluens, is a subspecies of the Banded Water Snake that is found in the central and southeastern United States. Here are some interesting facts about the Broad-banded Watersnake:
Appearance:
– The Broad-banded Watersnake is a heavy-bodied, semiaquatic snake with a reddish-brown background color.
– It has a series of 13-17 irregular, wide, and dark bands across its body.
– The belly is light with irregular dark markings.
Habitat:
– The Broad-banded Watersnake is found in aquatic habitats such as rivers, streams, swamps, and other wetland habitats.
– It is also found in marshes, ponds, and lakes.
Behavior:
– The Broad-banded Watersnake is nonvenomous and harmless to humans.
– It is a good swimmer and can often be seen basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
– When threatened, the Broad-banded Watersnake will flatten its body to appear larger and emit a foul musk from its anal glands, and bite repeatedly.
Distribution:
– The Broad-banded Watersnake is found in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and East Texas.
The Broad-banded Watersnake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
Graham’s Crayfish Snake
Graham’s Crayfish Snake, also known as Regina grahamii, is a species of nonvenomous semiaquatic snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. Here are some interesting facts about Graham’s Crayfish Snake:
Appearance:
– Graham’s Crayfish Snake is a medium-sized, dull-colored, semiaquatic snake that occurs throughout Missouri, but not in the Ozarks.
– It is usually a brown or gray color with an occasional faint mid-dorsal stripe.
– Its lateral stripes are typically cream, white tan, or light yellow and located from the belly up to the fourth scale row.
– The belly is typically the same color as the lateral stripes and is unmarked, with the exception of a row of dark dots down the center (rare in specimens).
– Graham’s Crayfish Snake averages 18 to 28 inches in length.
Habitat:
– Graham’s Crayfish Snake is locally common, secretive, and a pillager of burrows.
– It is found in and along banks of soft-bottomed, heavily vegetated lakes, ponds, sluggish streams, and other aquatic habitats.
Behavior:
– Graham’s Crayfish Snake is nonvenomous and harmless to humans.
– It is a good swimmer and can often be seen basking on rocks or logs near the water’s edge.
Etymology:
– The specific name, grahamii, is in honor of Lt. Col. James Duncan Graham, U.S. Topographical Engineers, who collected the type specimen.
Subspecies:
– There are no subspecies of Graham’s Crayfish Snake, Regina grahamii, which are recognized as being valid.
Graham’s Crayfish Snake is an important species in aquatic ecosystems and can be used to investigate anthropogenic impacts on these ecosystems.
FAQS
1. What are water snakes?
Water snakes are a type of semiaquatic snake that can be found in various parts of the world. They are characterized by their ability to live in and around water.
2. Are water snakes venomous?
Most species of water snakes are nonvenomous and harmless to humans. However, there are a few venomous species, such as the cottonmouth, that can be dangerous.
3. What do water snakes eat?
Water snakes primarily feed on aquatic and semiaquatic animals, such as fish, amphibians, and other reptiles. Some species may also eat small mammals and birds.
4. Where do water snakes live?
Water snakes can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats, such as rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, and swamps. They prefer relatively quiet waters and areas that are not overly shaded.
5. How can you tell the difference between a water snake and a venomous snake?
Water snakes can be easily mistaken for venomous snakes, such as the cottonmouth. However, water snakes have round pupils, while venomous snakes have vertical pupils. In addition, water snakes have a more slender head and body compared to venomous snakes.
6. Are water snakes important to the ecosystem?
Yes, water snakes play an important role in maintaining the health of aquatic ecosystems. They help to control populations of prey species and are themselves prey for larger animals.
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