The Diamond-back (or backed) Water Snake is a long, heavy-bodied, tan to gray-brown non-venomous reptile with a pattern of dark brown to black chain-like markings. The belly is yellow, but with dusky brown markings. As the name implies it lives in slow moving waters and is found all over Louisiana. They inhabit fast moving streams and rivers, they are more common in slow moving waters.
Ten Facts about Diamondback Water Snake
- The average size range that have seen and collected is 3 - 5 feet and very stout.
- These beautiful snakes eat fish, frogs, and a few birds.
- It is found predominantly near slow moving bodies of water, streams, rivers, ponds, or swamps.
- When foraging for food they will hang on branches suspended over the water, dipping their head under, until they encounter a fish or other prey.
- If cornered, they will often hiss, and flatten their head or body to appear larger.
- The diamondback water snake is found in the central United States, predominantly along the Mississippi River valley, but its range extends beyond that.
- They breed in the spring and give birth in the late summer or early fall. Neonates are around 8-10 in (20-25 cm) in length.
- Predators are hawks, birds, snakes, foxes, frog e.t.c.
- Neonates are often lighter in color, making their pattern more pronounced, and they darken with age.
- Lifespan can be 20 years in captivity.
