Many people mistakenly identify this snake as a cottonmouth (a venomous snake also known as the water moccasin). They also forage among underwater rocks and debris for prey.
The coloration of juveniles is similar to that of adults. The longest one on record was almost 70 inches long. They often bask on logs, branches, or bushes above the water, and gently retreat into the water if they are threatened.
STATUS: Fairly common in southeastern portion of Coastal Plain. Their scales are keeled and there are 25-33 dorsal scale rows at midbody.
Front (face view) of the headE. The 7-11 inch (17.7-27.9 cm) newborns are deposited from June-October. The pupil is round.
AUTHOR: Jeff Makemson, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Official Web Site of Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, © 2020 Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 64 N. Union Street, Suite 468 - Montgomery, Alabama 36130, Physically Disabled Hunting and Fishing Trail. Females give birth to 14-58 living young from June through November, but most commonly during August. Keeled scales. Their pupils are round. Smaller similar blotches alternate on the sides. The newborns are 7-10¾ in (18–27 cm) long, with males longer than females, opposite of adults. They will hang down from branches over aquatic prey such as frogs capturing them from above. Habitat: Commonly found in rivers, cypress strands, sawgrass prairies, swamps, lakes, ponds, canals, and flooded stands of melaleuca. "Featured Herp: Brown Water Snake (, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Brown_water_snake&oldid=961508958, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 8 June 2020, at 21:58. Adults are light tan with darker squarish brown blotches down their back.
5. (76–152 cm) in total length; record 69 in. Juvenile coloration is similar to that of adults. Brown Watersnake. Low Conservation Concern. It can be found as far north as Virginia, south through all of Florida, and west to extreme southeastern Alabama. DISTRIBUTION: The brown water snake is native to the Coastal Plain and some of the Piedmont of the southeastern United States. (175 cm).[6]. Their belly is light-colored with darker blotches some of which are shaped like a half moon. N. taxispilota is found in lower coastal regions from southeastern Virginia, through North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, to northern and western Florida (Gulf Coast), then west through Missouri, Alabama, and Mississippi, to Louisiana, normally from sea level to 500 ft. (150 m) elevation. Because both are found around lakes and ponds, harmless Brown Water Snakes are often confused with the venomous Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus). A. Brown water snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning they carry their eggs internally until the young are ready to hatch, then giving birth to live young. Brown water snakes, Nerodia taxispilota, are large snakes that can reach a total length of 30-55 inches. The spines eventually break and the snake heals. Description: Average adult size is 30-55 inches (76.2-139.7 cm), record is 69.5 inches (176.5 cm).
The brown water snake (Nerodia taxispilota) is a large species of nonvenomous natricine snake endemic to the southeastern United States. Females are larger and heavier than males because female brown water snakes need to increase their body fat stores by about 50% if they are to ovulate. Some lie on the surface of the water and wait for a fish to swim beneath them. The species is found in cypress swamps and even occasionally in brackish waters, particularly where there is a lot of overhanging vegetation. Outside of Florida, it is found from southern Alabama northeast to southeastern Virginia. Athens: The University of Georgia. Underside of the head (chin and throat)C. Elongated scales below the tail (subcaudal scales) are typically dividedD.
Description: Brown Watersnakes are large -- 30-60 in (76-152 cm) –- fairly heavy-bodied semi-aquatic snakes. The belly coloration is variable but is usually a mottled brown color.
Dark squarish markings extend upwards from the belly onto the sides of the body between the dorsal blotches. During the hottest portion of the year they tend to become more nocturnal (active a night). If cornered they sometimes flatten their necks and strike viciously. [5] Adults measure 30-60 in. Florida Museum of Natural History. Comparison with other species: The Southern Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) has a darker colored body with dorsal crossbands that extend over the back, squarish markings on the belly, and a dark stripe from its eye to last supralabial scale.
HABITAT: Brown water snakes usually are found in the slow moving waters of canals and rivers, and sometimes in lakes. Ventrally, it is yellow, heavily marked with black or dark brown. The brown water snake is very heavy-bodied, and its neck is distinctly narrower than its head. DESCRIPTION: Brown water snakes, Nerodia taxispilota, are large snakes that can reach a total length of 30-55 inches. The scales are keeled and there are 25-33 dorsal scale rows at midbody. This warms their bodies in the sunlight and increases their metabolic activity. [3] Often, up to three male snakes will attempt to mate with the same female. When frightened by a rapidly approaching boat, it will escape by jumping off the limb into the water. WSFR Natural History Series No. Catfish are a favorite prey item. Adults are light tan with darker squarish brown blotches down their back. The longest one on record was almost 70 inches long. [3], 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2007.RLTS.T63857A12722712.en, Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, Herpetology Program. The Cottonmouth has a vertical pupil, a facial pit between its eye and nostril.
It feeds on fishes, frogs, and carrion. Vigil, S. 2006. When frightened by a rapidly approaching boat, it will escape by jumping off the limb into the water. Range: In Florida, the Brown Water Snake is found throughout the state, excluding the Florida Keys. They play an important role in regulating populations of their prey and help to maintain a balance in their environment.
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