Florida Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Description: Dorsally, it is light brown or yellowish, with 26 to 35 reddish-brown to black crossbands. Ventrally, it is yellow or white, with reddish-brown or black markings. In large adult individuals, the ground color on the lower sides is sometimes darker than the crossbands, producing an appearance of alternating blotches on the back and sides.
The Florida water snake differs from the southern water snake (N. f. fasciata) chiefly in the shape of the markings on the ventrals. In N. f.pictiventris, these markings consist of transverse blotches, many of them enclosing an oval white spot, whereas in N. f. fasciata, they are solid, squarish spots. Adults average 24 to 42 inches in total length.
Habitat: Habitat consists primarily of vegetated freshwater ponds, lakes, marshes, wet prairies, sluggish streams and rivers, drainage ditches, and swamps, extending in some areas seawards to the edge of salt water meadows and marshes and mangrove swamps. This snake basks on banks and in edge vegetation. It shelters in bank-side burrows or under vegetative debris.
Range: e Florida banded water snake is endemic throughout Florida, South Carolina, southwestern and southeastern North Augusta, Beech Island, South West of Aiken County including areas running alongside Savannah River, Northern Georgia. In addition, it has been introduced to Brownsville, Texas. It has also established populations in Folsom and Harbor City, California.
Diet: They eat tadpoles, frogs, newts, salamanders, and fish, as do most water snakes. These snakes are more active throughout the day, although they can be spotted preying on minnows or tiny fish in the early evenings.
Reproduction: They are ovoviviparous. Mating occurs from March to May, and the young are born from May to August, in broods of 25 to 57. The newborns are 7.0 to 8.8 inches in total length.
Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
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Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. However, it is not a legal authority for statutory or regulatory purposes. While every effort has been made to provide the most reliable and up-to-date information available, ultimate legal requirements with respect to species are contained in provisions of treaties to which the United States is a party, wildlife statutes, regulations, and any applicable notices that have been published in the Federal Register. For further information on U.S. legal requirements with respect to protected taxa, please contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
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