Gulf Saltmarsh Snake (Nerodia clarkii clarkii)
Description: The Gulf salt marsh snake is a moderately stout aquatic snake. Adult specimens attain an average total length (including tail) of 15 to 20 inches, with the record maximum total length at 36.0 inches. The color pattern in this subspecies is variable, but adults tend to have a dorsum that ranges from dark gray to reddish-brown with four yellowish longitudinal stripes down the body, two on each side. The belly is dark gray to reddish-brown with one to three rows of pale spots.
Habitat: Just as the name indicates, gulf salt marsh snakes prefer brackish and saltwater estuaries, salt marshes and tidal mud flats.
Range: Gulf salt marsh snakes are found along the Gulf Coast from Florida through Texas.
Diet: N. c. clarkii is primarily nocturnal, preying upon small fish, crabs, shrimp, and other invertebrates that become trapped in tidal pools during low tide.
Reproduction: The Gulf salt marsh snake reaches sexual maturity at three years. Females give birth to 2-44 live young that range from 7.0 to 9.0 inches in total length. Their typical lifespan is up to 20 years.
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.
»» Kingdom: Animalia - Animals
»» Phylum: Chordata - Chordates
»» Subphylum: Vertebrata - Vertebrates
»» Class: Reptilia - Reptiles
»» Order: Squamata - Scaled Reptiles
»» Suborder: Serpentes
»» Superfamily: Colubroidea
»» Family: Colubridae - Colubrids
»» Genus: Nerodia
»» Species: Nerodia clarkii - Saltmarsh Snake
»» Subspecies: Nerodia clarkii clarkii - Gulf Saltmarsh Snake
This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Nerodia clarkii", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0. Content may have been omitted from the original, but no content has been changed or extended.
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