Water Snake - Mississippi Green

Other Breeds

Keeshond   |   Palomino   |   Pig – Pot Bellied   |  

Alternative Name

Green Watersnake, Mississippi Green Watersnake Scientific Name: Nerodia cyclopion

Basic Info

At maturity, the Mississippi Green Watersnake reaches a length ranging between 35 and 40 inches. Predominantly dark green or brown, the Mississippi Green Watersnake has keeled scales and a divided anal plate. The color is darkly blotched and is accented by 50 black bands, which are very difficult to discern. The underside is pale, being yellowish, but toward the posterior end, the color darkens to brown or gray. Pale yellow or dirty-white spots, often in the shape of a half-circle, are present. The eye of the Mississippi Green Watersnake is separated from the upper labial scales by a single row of subocular scales. At the middle of the moderately thick body, Mississippi Green Watersnakes have about 28 rows of scales. The pupils of the Mississippi Green Watersnake are round.

Health

The Mississippi Green Water Snake should be housed in an enclosure that is maintained between 75 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The enclosure should have land and water sections. Gravel and flat stones make a nice substrate. A bowl can be put in the enclosure to provide water, but be sure to clean it regularly as this is where the snake will spend most of its time. The Mississippi Green Water Snake is usually not aggressive towards people, but it may show aggression towards other snakes. If you choose to house them with other snakes make sure that you provide plenty of feeder fish for all of the snakes, or the most dominant snake will usually get most of the food. Enclosures should be cleaned at least once a week and any uneaten/killed food should be removed. Breeding Mississippi Green Watersnakes generally mate in the month of May and will give birth to live young. In July or August, between 10 and 20 young snakes are born. They are about 26 centimeters in length and their speckled markings are extremely well defined.

Habitat

Found commonly in flooded areas like secluded cypress swamps and woodland sloughs, the Mississippi Green Watersnake is quite harmless. Generally, they prefer quiet, calm areas of fairly still waters.

Behavior

Mississippi Green Watersnakes, a threatened species, generally keep to themselves. These lovely snakes appear unassuming and are not poisonous, but sadly, they are often mistaken for venomous Cottonmouths and killed. They will bite when they feel threatened, but are not poisonous. They are becoming increasingly difficult to find and are listed as threatened in some areas. Often they are destroyed by people who mistake them for the poisonous Cottonmouth, and their quiet habitats are being destroyed in addition to the aquatic vegetation eaten by their prey.

Origin

United States

History

Mississippi Green Watersnakes make their homes in the quiet, flooded woodlands and swamps of the southeastern United States.

Common Foods

These Watersnakes subsist on fish, but will also eat amphibians when the opportunity arises. They are, however, preyed upon by the larger species of shore birds and by other snakes.