Nerodia fasciata pictiventris
Encyclopedia
The Florida banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris), a subspecies of the Southern water snake (Nerodia fasciata), is a nonvenomous natricine
colubrid
.
and southeastern Georgia
. In addition, it has been introduced to Brownsville
, Texas
.http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1195 It has also established populations in Folsom
, California
(Balfour et al. 2007) and Harbor City, California
(Fuller and Trevett 2006).
The Florida water snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris) differs from the Southern water snake (Nerodia f. fasciata) chiefly in the shape of the markings on the ventrals. In pictiventris these markings consist of transverse blotches, many of them enclosing an oval white spot. Whereas in fasciata they are solid squarish spots.
Adults average 24 inches (61 cm) to 42 inches (106.7 cm) in length.
Natricinae
Natricinae is a subfamily of the colubrid family of snakes which contains 28 genera. Members of this subfamily include many very common snake species, such as the European Grass Snakes, and the North American Water Snakes.- Genera :...
colubrid
Colubrid
A colubrid is a member of the snake family Colubridae. This broad classification of snakes includes about two-thirds of all snake species on earth. The earliest species of the snake family date back to the Oligocene epoch. With 304 genera and 1,938 species, Colubridae is the largest snake family...
.
Geographic range
The Florida banded water snake is endemic throughout FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
and southeastern Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. In addition, it has been introduced to Brownsville
Brownsville, Texas
Brownsville is a city in the southernmost tip of the state of Texas, in the United States. It is located on the northern bank of the Rio Grande, directly north and across the border from Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. Brownsville is the 16th largest city in the state of Texas with a population of...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
.http://nas.er.usgs.gov/queries/FactSheet.asp?speciesID=1195 It has also established populations in Folsom
Folsom, California
Folsom is a city in Sacramento County, California, United States. Folsom is most commonly known for its famous Folsom Prison. The population was 72,203 at the 2010 census....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(Balfour et al. 2007) and Harbor City, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(Fuller and Trevett 2006).
Description
Dorsally it is light brown or yellowish, with 26-35 reddish-brown to black crossbands. Ventrally it is yellow or white, with reddish-brown or black markings. In large adult individuals the ground color on the lower sides is sometimes darker than the crossbands, producing an appearance of alternating blotches on the back and sides.The Florida water snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris) differs from the Southern water snake (Nerodia f. fasciata) chiefly in the shape of the markings on the ventrals. In pictiventris these markings consist of transverse blotches, many of them enclosing an oval white spot. Whereas in fasciata they are solid squarish spots.
Adults average 24 inches (61 cm) to 42 inches (106.7 cm) in length.