FOR AGES 3 YEARS TO 18 YEARS
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
Water snakes are a group of non-venomous, semi-aquatic snakes, classified into 200 species from 38 genera. A few of the notable species are Northern water snakes, Florida banded water snakes, and more. Most species are native to North American ranges. They prefer aquatic habitats. For example, lakes, ponds, streams, and more. Their primary diet includes fish, small reptiles, amphibians, and rodents. However, their personal favorite is small fish.
Southern and Northern Water Snakes are often mistaken as Water Moccasins. They have a flattened head, small black eyes with round pupils, and keeled dorsal scales. Northern water snakes have dark-colored scales and are identified by the dark crossbands on their neck. They also have dark blotches on their body. Females have a longer body than males.
They are ovoviviparous snakes. Their breeding season begins in mid-April. The females give birth in early autumn. The number of neonates depends on the species, for example, southern water snakes can give birth to up to 50 neonates.
To learn more, we have collected a set of interesting facts about this snake for you to read. You can also learn more about fascinating wild animals and snakes by reading up more articles on the hognose snake and the rattlesnake.
Water snakes are a vast group of semi-aquatic snakes. They are mostly harmless, and non-venomous. They have a vast family with nearly 200 species from 38 genera, including northern water snake or common water snake, Florida banded water snake, and more.
They belong to the Reptilia class of the Animalia kingdom.
According to the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, there is a stable population of more than 10,00,000 northern water snakes on Earth. However, due to their vastly distributed population, the total number of their group is uncounted.
Water snakes are mostly found across Eastern, and Central North America. Most species of the Nerodia genus live in Southern Canada, Southern Ontario, Eastern United States, and Mexico. Eurasian water snakes are found throughout Europe and Western Asia. Yellow-bellied water snakes are native to the Gulf Coast. A few species, including the Asiatic water snakes, live throughout Southern China, Indonesia, and parts of Southeast Asia.
They live in aquatic habitats like rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and marshes. They are semi-aquatic. They often come out to forests or grasslands near water bodies to bask under the sun. However, in any case, they don't stay outside of the water for too long.
Water snakes are solitary reptiles. However, they prepare communal dens to live together during the winter. They gather in groups and reside in these dens during their hibernation period.
Their lifespan depends on their diet, environment, and species. Most of the species, including northern water snakes, and banded water snakes live up to nine years in captivity. However, their lifespan in the wild is still uncertain.
Water Snakes are ovoviviparous. They produce offsprings every two or three years. Most species including northern water snakes indulge in a polygynous mating system, allowing the males to mate with two or more females in their lifetime. The breeding season depends on their species. In most cases, it takes place in spring. The breeding season of northern water snakes starts from mid-April.
Their gestation period ranges between three and five months. The females give birth in early autumn. The number of snakelets produced varies from species to species. The banded water snake can give birth to up to 50 snakelets and a northern water snake can give birth to up to 99 snakelets. The snakelets are around 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm) in length. Water snakes gain sexual maturity at the age of two or three.
Most of their species, including common water snake or northern water snake and banded water snake, are listed as Least Concern species by the International Union For Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. However, the copperbelly water snake species is listed as a Vulnerable species, due to loss of habitat. Some are also listed as Data Deficient such as Dunn's water snake and Hardwick's water snake.
The aesthetics of water snakes depends upon their species. Water snakes have keeled dorsal scales, and a flat head with a pair of small, black eyes, with round pupils around it. The patterns and coloration of scales vary from species to species. Northern water snakes come with dark shades such as dark brown, brown, dark grey, black or tan colored body, whitish or pale yellow underbody, with square blotches on their back and sides. Diamondback water snakes have diamond-shaped patterns on their brown or olive green-colored body and head.
Snakes are one of the most feared species of our world. Due to the lack of knowledge, and aggressiveness of some species, most people don't like snakes. However, that doesn't change the fact that water snakes, especially banded water snakes, and diamondback water snakes are extremely appealing. Their unique patterns and colorations make them look gorgeous and cute!
Like many other snakes, they communicate by emitting chemical signals, through their glands. They use pheromones as a medium. By using the vomeronasal organs, they receive signals from others. They also use their eyesight and feel the vibration to locate their prey.
The length of water snakes depends on their diet and species. In general, they are 2-3 ft (0.6-1 m) in length. Diamondback water snakes can grow up to 5.06 ft (1.7 m), and northern water snakes can grow up to 4.04 ft (1.3 m).
Water snakes can move with ease while maintaining a speed of 6-7 mph (9.6-11.2 kph).
In general, they weigh around 5.2-14.3 oz (150-408 g). Depending on their diet, adult banded water snakes can weigh up to 16.38 oz (464.3 g).
Snakes don't have any particular names for males and females, respectively.
Baby water snakes are called neonates or snakelets. They are pale in color. They are 8-10 in (20.3-25.4 cm) in length. They are tiny in size and often have dark spots on their body.
They are carnivores in nature and known for directly swallowing their prey alive. The primary diet of water snakes includes various small fish, crayfish, and occasionally small reptiles and amphibians, like southern leopard frogs, bullfrog tadpoles, and more. When there is a scarcity of fish, they can feed on worms, leeches, rodents, and even small mammals, who live near the water.
Unlike water moccasins or the venomous cottonmouth, water snakes are non-venomous. They are known as harmless snakes. They do not harm animals when these snakes are ingested either. Thus, they are not poisonous or venomous.
Water Snakes can be a great choice for your first reptile pet. They are non-venomous and harmless. Not just that, they are pretty easy to take care of. Therefore, many experts recommend them as a first choice.
Water snakes don't have fangs. Whenever they bite, they leave bite marks in a uniform pattern. They can bite if they ever threatened.
Water snakes have a close resemblance to water moccasins. Water moccasins are identified by their hourglass-like markings on their body and their blocky head.
Water snakes are classified into 200 species from 38 genera. Each of them has its own characteristics. A few of the most spotted water snakes are northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), Florida banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris), diamondback water snake (Nerodia rhombifer), southern water snake (Nerodia fasciata), and more.
They spend half of their life near the water. They can comfortably remain submerged underwater for up to 10 minutes. However, remaining underwater for more than an hour is not possible for them. Depending on the weather, they can live without being in the water for weeks.
They come out of the water when they need to bask in the sun. They even prey on rodents there. However, their primary habitat is the water.
Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other reptiles including chameleons, or corn snakes.
You can even occupy yourself at home by drawing one of our Water Snake coloring pages.
Read The Disclaimer
At Kidadl we pride ourselves on offering families original ideas to make the most of time spent together at home or out and about, wherever you are in the world. We strive to recommend the very best things that are suggested by our community and are things we would do ourselves - our aim is to be the trusted friend to parents.
We try our very best, but cannot guarantee perfection. We will always aim to give you accurate information at the date of publication - however, information does change, so it’s important you do your own research, double-check and make the decision that is right for your family.
Kidadl provides inspiration to entertain and educate your children. We recognise that not all activities and ideas are appropriate and suitable for all children and families or in all circumstances. Our recommended activities are based on age but these are a guide. We recommend that these ideas are used as inspiration, that ideas are undertaken with appropriate adult supervision, and that each adult uses their own discretion and knowledge of their children to consider the safety and suitability.
Kidadl cannot accept liability for the execution of these ideas, and parental supervision is advised at all times, as safety is paramount. Anyone using the information provided by Kidadl does so at their own risk and we can not accept liability if things go wrong.
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