Lake Erie Water Snake

Nerodia sipedon insularum

Venom Status:

Non Venomous

Characteristics:

Adult at 2 to 3 feet, but occasionally attains 4 feet in length. Full bands anteriorly become saddles posterior to the neck where they then alternate with lateral blotches. Light areas between the bands are usually 2 or more scales wide. Ground color varies from tan to greenish or grayish. Pattern is indistinct or absent. Belly is white to yellow, often with a pale rose color stripe down the center, otherwise usually patternless. Upper and lower labial between-scale-sutures are dark. Scales keeled, anal plate divided. Ovoviviparous. Juveniles are more strongly marked than the adults. Intergrades widely with the northern water snake where it ranges about. Frogs and fish are the principal food items.

Unique Features:

Obscure dorsal pattern and plain yellowish ventral color as well as locale will identify this snake

Habitat and Diet:

Aquatic, but often seen basking on emergent vegetation, the shoreline, or floating debris, on sunny days. Frogs and fish are the principal food items.