Alternate Name(s):

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Predominantly aquatic. Variably colored. 2 ½-3 ½’ long. Typically grayish brown above, with or without a brown mid dorsal stripe. Broad yellow(ish) lateral stripe narrowly bordered above and below by black. Belly yellowish, with or without a central line of black dots. Also may be gray above, the yellow lateral stripes being largely obscured and replaced by 3 narrow dark stripes. Belly lighter gray than dorsum, especially centrally. Young are like the adults but more precisely marked. Scales keeled in 19 rows. Ovoviviparous. Neonates are miniatures of the adults.

Unique Features:

Broad yellow(ish) lateral stripe narrowly bordered above and below by black. Belly yellowish, with or without a central line of black dots.

Habitat and Diet:

Ponds (including artificial ones) and slow streams. Prey soft-shell crayfish, and occasional frogs and fish.

Geographic Range:

AR, IL, LA, MS, TX, ID, KS, MO, NE, IA, OK