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Diamond-backed Water Snake juvenile (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer) Harmless, Inoffensive, Beneficial Photos courtesy of Johjania N; text by Jerry Cates The Nerodian water snakes are relatively thick-bodied, aggressive in behavior, and have markings that only add to the perception that they must be poisonous. The diamond-backed water snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer) is no exception. This harmless snake is mistaken for the venomous western cottonmouth so often that, at least in the annals of urban legends, its characteristics are often cited as what to look for when identifying a cottonmouth. Only the diamond-backed water snake has the markings shown in the photo taken by Johjania. Note first that the background coloration is fairly uniform, with a darker pattern impressed upon it. The darker pattern consists of vertical patches, laterally (on the snake's sides), connected across the back by, first, two angular markings that originate at the upper corners of the vertical patch and traverse the upper portion of the snake's side to the spine, where they meet at aquare-shaped patches that are spaced in a regular pattern down the snake's back, from head to tail.
If you live within a mile of a watercourse, you may find one of these snakes on your doorstep, in your garage, or on your back porch from time to time. If that happens, don't panic. It is there not to frighten you, but to reduce the number of toads, frogs, and geckos around your home. Fortunately, it and its cousins do a great job of that, or we'd be overrun with toads, frogs, and geckos. |
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