Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Aquatic, but often seen basking on emergent vegetation, shore, or on floating debris on sunny days. Ground color can vary from gray to tan or yellow. The bands are very wide and darker than the ground color, being black, brown, maroon or red and are usually edged with black. There are no spots on the sides between the dark bands. There is usually a dark stripe extending rearward from each eye. The belly is yellowish with large black to reddish spots along each edge. Ovoviviparous. Babies are brightest, and old snakes become suffused with dark pigment and are the least colorful. Scales keeled, anal plate divided.

Unique Features:

Extremely wide dark bands and a dark stripe extending rearward from the eye to the angle of the mouth.

Habitat and Diet:

Aquatic, but often seen basking on emergent vegetation, shore, or on floating debris on sunny days. Prefers quiet waters of canals, sloughs, and wetlands. Prey items include frogs and fish.

Geographic Range:

AL, TN, KY, AR, IL, LA, MS, TX, MO, OK