Southern Watersnake
Subspecies occurring in Louisiana is the Broad-banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata confluens)
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Scientific Name:
Nerodia fasciata Aquatic and Terrestrial
Native
Snakes
Nonvenomous
Description
Medium-sized semi-aquatic snake- 16-45 inches long. Two common patterns—one is dark brown to nearly black with narrow tan or yellow crossbands and a pale orange band from the eye to the angle of the jaw; the other pattern, found in the upper Florida Parishes, consists of tan to orange-brown with dark brown or gray crossbands. Their undersides are white but heavily marked with large, alternating dark red, brown, or black blotches. They have keeled (ridged) scales in 21 to 25 rows.
Range and Habitat
Found in and around most freshwater and some brackish waterbodies within Louisiana. Especially favor swamps.
Behavior
Known to hybridize with the Saltmarsh Snake when the two species come in contact. Juveniles feed on small fish and adults will feed on both amphibians and large fish. Typically have 7 to 39 young.
Population Status
Common to abundant throughout most of the state; populations considered stable.