Midland Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) This juvenile Midland Water Snake was found underneath a stone in a dried up creek bed in Hopkins County, Kentucky. Food - Mostly small fish, frogs, salamanders, tadpoles, toads, Nest - No nest used; water snakes give birth to young which disperse almost immediately, Habitat - Ponds, marshes, streams, river valleys, Kentucky Distribution - Western part of state; the midland water snake is a subspecies of the northern water snake, which is found statewide and in nearly every body of water in Kentucky, Young - Average litter size around 26; usually born in fall; less than 9 in. Juveniles have dark crossbands on either light-brown, tan, or gray background that is very distinct, some may be red or orange-brown in color. Feeding on live guppies and chopped up silversides placed in the water bowl. Northern water snakes can vary in their coloration, some more red than brown, some very dark, some very dull, but the pattern is the same. Download all free or royalty-free photos and vectors. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, Boston and New York. Fun Facts - The midland water snake is not poisonous (non-venomous), but like all wild animals, will bite if handled. Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes. Royalty-Free Stock Photo. Northern Water Snake; Banded Watersnake; Common Water Snake; Midland Watersnake (ssp. The scales are strongly keeled (each scale has a prominent raised ridge), and there are 21-25 dorsal scale rows at midbody. It may dive under the water, hide under a rock, or dart into a hole near the water's edge. Although cottonmouths occur throughout Florida, they are not nearly as abundant as the eight species of harmless watersnakes (species in the genus Nerodia) that occur in much the same habitats. Midland water snake. Nerodia sipedon pleuralis. Mecklenburg Co., NC - April 2002. Still have questions about snakes or identifications? It has red blood. The crossbands and blotches are separated by at least 2.5 dorsal scale rows of the lighter colored dorsal scales. and E.M. Ernst. Beautiful coloring! Scientific Name - Nerodia sipedon pleuralis, Description - Superficially resembles a copperhead snake; more tan or reddish brown than other northern water snakes, with dark crossbands from neck to anus; dark bands more narrow than space between them; thick head and body, Size - 20 – 40 in. The snake is an animal. ~5 ft) Identification: Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile. Krysko, K.L., K.M. Dorcas. Midland Water Snake. Unfortunately, many watersnakes are killed every year by Florida residents who mistake them for cottonmouths. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist. Most adult midland watersnakes are about 24-30 inches (60-76 cm) in total length. 2003. Their carnivorous diet consists of game, frogs, salamanders, and fish. In Shed - Captured by hand along a creek. Ecological Role - The midland water snake is an efficient predator of many aquatic organisms. University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Oklahoma. The two can be easily distinguished by morphological traits; the watersnake has a longer, more slender body and a flattened head the same width as the neck, round pupils, and no heat-sensing pits. Red Dead Online Cottonmouth Snake, Midland Water Snake, Northern Water Snake location. When approached, midland watersnakes will typically flee for shelter or into the water, relying on speed and agility to avoid capture. It breathes air and feels fear just like every other animal in the world. Belly color may be cream to reddish in color, growing darker tow… and M.E. Banner photo courtesy hunterhewgley/iNaturalist/CC-BY-NC-4.0. The care … Aug 8, 2014 - See related links to what you are looking for. These snakes are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. 668 pp. Midland Water Snake This baby midland water snake was contemplating his first swim on the shores of Lake Huron. Adults are stout-bodied and light brown with fewer than 30 dark brown or reddish-brown crossbands near the neck, which are often outlined in black. Southern Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) Southern watersnakes have broad black, brown, or red crossbands (often bordered with black) down the back and a dark stripe that extends from the eye to the angle of the jaw. Species ID Suggestions Sign in to suggest organism ID. And, it's in a body that's the hardest thing for the average person to understand. The bands connect on the neck and become a more alternating pattern between the back and the sides from the middle part of the body to the tail. (author-unknown) Pattern turns to blotches toward the tail. midland watersnakes are not dangerous to people or pets, but they will readily bite to defend themselves. Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy. 7 Comments Midland watersnakes feed primarily on amphibians and freshwater fishes. Learn about other Florida reptiles & amphibians. Florida's Snakes Northern or Midland Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon) NON-VENOMOUS Blotched. The lower lip is white with brown vertical bars (which is one way to distinguish this species from similar-looking venomous snakes in our range). Source: R.H. Mount; "The Reptiles and Amphibians of Alabama" It may fall prey to raccoons, hawks, and other snakes. Download preview. Photo by John Jensen. The photograph may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more. Species ID Suggestions Sign in to suggest organism ID. If you have a new or interesting observation for this species, please email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum. The Midland Water Snake is a non-venomous snake. Representative photo: Exact animal is not shown. It has a backbone and a heart. Do you have snakes around your house? Adult patterns get darker as they age and may appear solid brown or black in old individuals. ( 22.86 cm) long at birth; little care given by parent, Website - http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-guide/nerodiaspleuralis.htm, Carol Hanley, Ed.D.Associate Director201 Dimock BuildingLexington, KY 40546-0076859-257-3785enri@uky.edu, Students   /   A conspicuous inhabitant of ponds, lakes, and streams, and the most frequently encountered water snake in the northern two-thirds of Alabama. Tweet; Description: Yearling water snake. Midland Water Snake. The midland water snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis), a subspecies of the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), is a nonvenomous natricine snake, which is endemic to North America. Most adult midland watersnakes are about 24-30 inches (60-76 cm) in total length, with a record length of 59 inches (150 cm). There are dark squarish markings on the sides of the body between the dorsal blotches that extend upwards from the belly. It may fall prey to raccoons, hawks, and other snakes. Mecklenburg Co., NC - April 2002. Pattern in juveniles can be very different from adults. Departments & Units   /   Lowest Conservation Concern. The midland water snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis), a subspecies of the northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), is a nonvenomous natricine snake, which … However, if they are cornered, both juveniles and adults will strike at the attacker. Collins. CB Midland Water Snake (#83) Click for hi-res image or caption. 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