Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

This is the only member of this water snake group, the plain-bellied water snakes, to be strongly patterned when adult. On a ground color of greenish gray to greenish brown there is a row of large, black-edged, dark, vertebral blotches and below these a row on each side of smaller black-edged alternating spots. Belly yellow with a dusky marking on each side of all ve.

Unique Features:

Alternating dark dorsal and lateral spots and a virtually plain yellow belly.

Habitat and Diet:

These snakes are aquatic, but often seen basking on emergent vegetation, shore, on floating debris or limbs overhanging the water on sunny days. Prefers wooded shores of quiet waters such as canals, sloughs, and wetlands. Prey items include frogs and fish.

Geographic Range:

AR, LA, TX, KS, MO, NM, OK