Nerodia Sipedon - Water Snake

[infernalis]

Last night while feeding the garters I removed "Aqua" the water snake from his enclosure and attempted to feed him "garter style" from my hands.

He grabbed the first fish right off the tongs as soon as I waved it in his face.

I recall reading somewhere that Nerodia Sipedon was closely related to Garter snakes, however after searching again, cannot find this data to reference to now.

While Aqua was out, I took some pictures....

This one turned out freaky...


This striking belly pattern is attractive to me...



Here is a nice shot of Aqua from above, He is about 22 inches long.



Many people fear water snakes, they have a tendency to behave in a very hostile fashion when disturbed, and will flatten out to appear larger than they really are, and will often strike out as if to say "Back off or get hurt!"

I personally know a guy who emptied the clip on his 9mm glocke into the creek at the sight of one of these thankfully he missed.

Aqua is rather unique, he has never once attempted to bite nor musk.

[Aundrea]

awww what a pretty snake I like the name. It fits

[Snake lover 3-25]

awww very nice!!!!!! love that belly!!

[Charlet_2007]

I've had a lot of banded water snakes up to 6 at a time they don't do to good in captivity.. You throw out a minnow trap with dead crawdads and fish meat and you'll have it filled with water snakes.. But you have to have stuff just right or they die... Very troublesome snake if you ask me.. But this one you have its very pritty..

People get these mixed up this cotton mouths or water moccasins which ever you call the snake.. Sad that they do.. Here's some pics of the one i had but later released it because it wasn't doing to good..





Belly:

[infernalis]

Aqua has been captive now for nearly 2 years, and is healthier now than when I found him.

He is a unique character

Eats well, sheds well and tolerates the occasional handling well.

[jitami]

Many people fear water snakes, they have a tendency to behave in a very hostile fashion when disturbed, and will flatten out to appear larger than they really are, and will often strike out as if to say "Back off or get hurt!"

You mean they don't just come up and bump you on the leg in the water repeatedly like a garter would?

Beautiful snakes! Those bellies are amazing!

[aSnakeLovinBabe]

Awe, so glad to see someone else actually keeps - and adores - a nothern water snake. Mine is silver and red... so stunning to see in person!

My little guy was "gifted" from a friend who did not want him anymore, he is captive bred... he is the tamest little snake you will ever meet. My other water snake is a hypo Florida banded and both of those guys take fish chunks and unscented mice right off my tongs. They also will eat from my hands "garter style"... I just love them! I open the cage and the both zoom up the open door out to the edge! I have never seen either of them try to bite or musk, and that's saying a lot for the hypo because he was WC.

I have caught many of these guys at lakes and once one that had a bottom jaw that was completely split (and healed) vertically in half.. the snake could open its mouth like the worms in the tremors movie!!! I have found many females but I won't keep one until I find the perfect girl... she has to be young, pretty colored, and well mannered

enough rambling heres a picture to add to the bunch, the little guy is my northern, the bigger one's the hypo Sorry its a crappy picture but its the only one I've got... they both have water deposits on them and it makes them look dusty and takes away from their color!

[anji1971]

Wow, I've never seen a Nerodia up close. I didn't realise how beautiful they are..........
Great pics, Wayne, Charlet and Shannon. I've got another wish-list item now.

[Zephyr]

I just recently bought a water snake (Saturday.) Sold to me as a broad-banded but I'm not entirely sure. He's got looks of red on his tummy; right now he's actually in with the garters and has already downed a salmon-scented pinky.

[GartersRock]

I have 5 Diamondback Water Snakes!! They are eating after only a few days! Super cool snakes!! Mine seem to be doing fine and I luv em!!