Brazos River Watersnake
Nerodia harteri
The Brazos river water snake has an average length of 20-30 inches. It has a divided anal plate and keeled dorsal scales of 21-25 rows near the mid body, with 2 small sca…
How to identify
The Brazos river water snake has an average length of 20-30 inches. It has a divided anal plate and keeled dorsal scales of 21-25 rows near the mid body, with 2 small scales in between the posterior set of large skin scales. Their dorsal pigmentation varies from brown-grey to green-brown, with 4 rows of dark spots on the body. Their throats and neck are yellow or cream. Their belly is pink or orange with spots along the margins of its ventral scales.
Range
The Brazos river watersnake is exclusive to the upper portions of the Brazos river system in North-central Texas.
Habitat
It is exclusively found at the rocky stream beds and banks of the Brazos river. It depends on the rocks for security, thus, without rocks, there are no Brazos river water snakes. The Brazos river water snake gives birth to their offsprings live. They often reproduce in the months of September and October. They could birth up to 23 offsprings at once with neonates measuring between 7 and 10 inches. They aren’t food generalists, although, a few species have been reported to feed on Salamanders, crayfish and some frog species.
Similar species
The green water snake (nerodia cyclopion) has a dark green, olive or brown dorsal pigmentation and yellow on its ventral region. It has 1 or more small scales around the eyes, which differentiates it from all other similar species. The Florida green water snake (nerodia floridana) is the largest water snake in North America with a full body length, ranging between 30 and 55 inches. It has a greenish-brownish skin pigmentation with white bellies in adults. The Brown water snake (nerodia taxispilota) is a heavy-bodied species with an average adult length of 30-60 inches. It has a row of about 25 dark brown or black, square blotches on a rusty-brown dorsal surface.
Name and etymology
Harteri: Honoring Philip Harter.
At a glance
Range
The Brazos river watersnake is exclusive to the upper portions of the Brazos river system in North-central Texas.
Habitat
It is exclusively found at the rocky stream beds and banks of the Brazos river. It depends on the rocks for security, thus,…
Guide
Reptiles and Amphibians of North America
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap