Three Interesting Facts on the Green Water Snake
Could you identify a green water snake if you saw one? This non-venomous snake, Nerodia cyclopian, is found in Florida, coastal South Carolina, Louisiana and eastern Texas. It ranges as far north as eastern Arkansas and the southernmost tip of Illinois. Although they are sometimes confused with venomous cottonmouth snakes, green water snakes have some interesting qualities that are evident to the trained eye.
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Belly and Facial Pattern
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A green water snake usually is 30 to 50 inches long, but can be as long as 74 inches. Dull brown or olive green in color, the snake's belly has a pattern of half-moon shapes on it. The snake also has a stout head with a row of scales between its round eye and upper lip.
Habitat
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Green water snakes prefer wooded swamps, marshes, bayous and similar bodies of water with little current. Sometimes they can be spotted basking in branches overhanging the water. They prefer to eat fish, but their diet also consists of frogs, tadpoles and salamanders, which they forage for in logs and debris. Green water snakes are rare or endangered in some places, including Arkansas and Illinois, due to the draining of wetlands.
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Defense Mechanisms
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Green water snakes avoid confrontation by diving and swimming. Unlike cottonmouths, they submerge their heads completely underwater. If captured, green water snakes will bite, thrash and spread their stinky musk. They also may regurgitate their last meal in the hope of repelling would-be captors. Unfortunately, people often mistake green water snakes for cottonmouths and kill them.
Florida Green Water Snake
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The Florida green water snake, which was once classified as the same species as the green water snake is now a separate species: Nerodia floridana. Scientists discovered a difference in head shape that distinguishes Nerodia floridana from Nerodia cyclopian.
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References
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