The southern water snake ( Nerodia fasciata) is frequently also referred to as the broad banded water snake in eastern and southeastern Texas. These snakes are small have a checkerboard pattern that can be brown anand gray or more green in tone. Like the Concho water snake, they require rocky streams to form a healthy population. The Brazos water snake ( Nerodia harteri) is considered threatened due to habitat loss. Brazos Water SnakeĪ post shared by Jessica Yates small snake is only found in the Brazos River in northern Texas. Since they need rocky streams to grow well, dam construction has destroyed much of their habitat. It has darkish red brown bands covering the body of the snake. They brumate for the rest of the year in burrows or other shelter. They eat primarily fish and are only active from March to October. These snakes only live in small streams in the Concho and Colorado River Basins.
They are currently considered near threatened due to habitat loss. The Concho water snake ( Nerodia paucimaculata) is a small snake that rarely gets over three feet long. They are typically found near ponds and other bodies of water where they hunt fish. They are mostly a solid green to black color on the back with a yellow stomach. flavigaster) they can be found along the gulf coast. This is another subspecies of the plain-belly water snake ( N. The face makes it easy to confuse with a cottonmouth, but they have dark lips and the head is flat. It has grayish-brown blotches along the back with a yellow cross in the middle. This is the only one of the species that has distinct patterning as an adult. As a water snake, it eats primarily fish and can be found near or in water. The blotched water snake ( Nerodia erythrogaster transversa) is a subspecies of the plain-belly water snake. The diamondback water snake can be found in nearly all of Texas aside from west Texas and the Panhandle. These snakes can be told apart from the venomous snakes by their round pupils and differences in behavior. They are not harmful to humans aside from having a painful bite. This species is frequently mistaken for both cottonmouths and rattlesnakes thanks to its coloring. Adults are typically duller with less prominent patterning than juveniles. They tend to be brown or olive with dark markings on the back. When confronted, they will fall off the branch and swim away. These snakes will dip their head into the water and use their sharp teeth to capture fish as they swim by. They tend to both hunt and bask while perched on branches above the water. The diamondback water snake ( Nerodia rhombifer) is a nonvenomous species of snake that preys primarily on fish. This can help tell them apart since most other snakes in the state do not stay so high in the water while swimming. Whenever they are swimming, they will be mostly above the water with their heads sticking up. One easy way to spot them at a distance is noting their swimming style. They can be found around the Dallas/Fort Worth area, the southern shorelines, parts of the Hill Country, and parts of the Edwards Plateau.Ĭottonmouths are named for their stark white mouths that they open during a threat display.Īdults are typically dark in color with faint markings, but young snakes have a blotchy cross banding that alternates between light and dark. They are most common in the eastern half of the state. These snakes are not found in all of Texas. The only subspecies found in Texas is the Western cottonmouth ( A. These pit vipers can deliver fatal or even venomous bites to humans. The cottonmouth or water moccasin ( Agkistrodon piscivorus) is the only semi-aquatic member of the viper family. This means you may see a terrestrial snake taking a swim. Snakes can also swim and will do so if they want to cross to the other side of a body of water. Even land species need to drink and may hunt animals coming to get a drink. You may also spot some more unusual snakes in the water or nearby. Remember to keep a note of where you are since many species of snake are only found in parts of the state. Once you are away, you can use this handy list to help you identify the snake you are looking at. Snakes are not aggressive and will not try to pursue a human in most cases. Back away from the snake so it knows that it can escape. If you run across a snake in the water, the first step you take should be to freeze. The snake is definitely more frightened of you than you are of it.
Even the venomous snakes just want to get away from you. However, not all snakes that you encounter in or near water are dangerous to humans.
The most famous water snake in Texas is known to be venomous. Running across an unknown snake in the water can be a frightening experience.
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