Description: The Concho water snake grows to a total length (including tail) of 16 to 32 inches, and looks very much like N. harteri. However, N. paucimaculata tends to be more red in color, and has no dark markings on the underside. It has large dark reddish brown bands covering its body.

Habitat: The Concho water snake lives in free-flowing streams over rocks and shallow riffles, using rock debris and crevices for cover

Range: N. paucimaculata is found only in west-central Texas in the Colorado and Concho river systems, in Coke, Runnels, San Saba, and Tom Green Counties.

Found in these States: TX

Diet: Minnows (red shiners and bullhead minnows), mosquitofish, channel and flathead catfish, gizzard shad, and sunfish make up the bulk of its diet.

Reproduction: Females usually give birth in late July through September to approx. 10 young per litter.

Status: Listed as Near Threatened because its extent of occurrence is not much more than 5,000 km², thus making the species close to qualifying for Vulnerable under criterion B1, and it is believed to be experiencing a continuing decline. Due to its limited range, N. paucimaculata was considered a threatened species in the state of Texas.

Habitat loss has been the reason for the snake's decline. Reservoir construction has flooded many miles of former stream habitat above the dams. The dams restrict streamflow and prevent floodwaters from scouring the streambeds. This has resulted in siltation of rocky streambeds, encroaching vegetation, and loss of riffle habitat required by young snakes. Today, efforts are being made to restore stream habitat and manage water flows to maintain habitat for the Concho Water Snake. The snakes have colonized artificial riffles that have been built to offset loss of natural habitat.

Taxonomy: