Broad-banded Watersnake of Louisiana

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Nerodia fasciata confluens

The Broad-banded is the only species of Banded Water snake that lives in Louisiana. They are found in bodies of water all over Louisiana and the Southeastern United States. Unfortunately, these stout non-poisonous water snakes with colorful bellies, are often confused with Copperheads and Cottonmouths and are intentionally killed by humans.

The Broad-banded Watersnake is the only species of Banded Watersnake in Louisiana.

Description 

Broad-banded Watersnakes (Nerodia fasciata confluens), sometimes called Southern Watersnakes, are stout looking snakes with a series of reddish brown bands on a lighter background along their back. The underside or belly is yellowish with red wavy marks or spots on each scale. The babies are similar to the adults, except their markings are more distinct and crisp.



watersnakes Dundee



Water snakes

a. Diamond-backed water snake, Nerodia rhombifers
b. Western green water snake, Nerodia cyclopion
c. Yellow-bellied water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
d. Blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa
e. Dark phase of the southern water snake, Nerodia fasciata
f. Light phase of the southern water snake, Nerodia fasciata
g. Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon
h. Salt march snake, Nerodia clarkia

Compare these Watersnakes to the Copperhead and Cottonmouth



C. Copperhead, Agkistrodon contortrix
D. Cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus

 
Photo Reference: Harold A. Dundee and Douglas A. Rossman, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana

Habits and Habitats 

Broad-banded watersnake on logThese watersnakes are found throughout the Southeastern United States. The Broad-banded Watersnake is the only Banded Watersnake to occupy Louisiana. Broad-banded Watersnakes are active all year round in the warmer parts of Louisiana. During the winter and cold periods, they hibernate in animal burrows near water, as well as in muskrat and beaver lodges, shoreline vegetation and fallen logs.

During warm weather they retreat to these same places when threatened. They are active both day and night during summer. On cool, sunny days they can be seen basking on overhanging limbs along streams, rivers, ponds and other bodies of water.

North American Watersnakes 

North American Watersnakes: A Natural History (Animal Natural History Series, V. 8)

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Banded Watersnake on Wiki 

The Banded Water Snake or Southern Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) is a species of mostly aquatic, non-venomous, colubrid snake found in the central and southeastern United States, from Indiana, south to Texas and east to Florida.

Broad-banded Diet 

Broad-banded Watersnakes eat many aquatic animals including fish and amphibians. Prey is swallowed whole while still alive. Fish are swallowed head first, while most frogs are swallowed rear first.


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Water Snakes 

A Water Snake's Year

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Reproduction 

Broad-banded Watersnakes are live bearers. They usually mate in the spring and give birth to live young from midsummer to fall. Litters of young range from 6 to 80, but normally about 20-25 are born at one time. In early spring it is common for several males to congregate in shallow water habitats to mate with receptive females.

Water Snakes of North America 

Water Snakes of North America

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Watersnakes Flickr Photos 

Broad-Banded Water Sanke - Swimming through river by David Sledge

Broad-Banded Water S...

Snakes by Svadilfari

Snakes

Water Snake by jmd41280

Water Snake

Ripples by Care_SMC

Ripples

Water Snake by Care_SMC

Water Snake

Broad-Banded Water Sanke - Swimming through river by David Sledge

Broad-Banded Water S...

automatically generated by Flickr

Defense and Predators 

There are many predators that feed on Broad-banded water snakes. Cottonmouths, great blue herons and alligators are known to prey on these snakes. When threatened, a banded watersnake will always try to escape, but if this is not possible, and it is captured it will twist around, try to bite its captor and release musk.

Conservation

Unfortunately, many harmless Broad-banded Watersnakes are killed by fisherman, campers and other outdoors men because they are mistaken for poisonous Cottonmouths (because they live near water) or Copperheads (because of their banded pattern and color). Another threat occurs because of their tendency to cross busy highways near their wetland habitats.

 Reference: Gibbons and Dorcas, Snakes of the Southeast

Snakes of the Southeast 

Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book)

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Kid Catches Baby Broad-banded Snake 

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Snakes on Amazon 

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This digital document is a journal article from Bi more...0 points

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