Nerodia rhombifer
| Nerodia rhombifer | |
|---|---|
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Nerodia |
| Species: | N. rhombifer |
| Binomial name | |
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Nerodia rhombifer (Hallowell, 1852) |
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| Subspecies | |
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N. r. blanchardi (Clay, 1938) |
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| Synonyms | |
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N. r. blanchardi (Clay, 1938)
N. r. rhombifera (Hallowell, 1852)
N. r. werleri (Conant, 1953)
Nerodia rhombifer, commonly known as the diamondback water snake, is a species of nonvenomous natricine colubrid endemic to the central United States and northern Mexico. There are three recognized subspecies of N. rhombifer, including the nominotypical subspecies.
The species was first described as Tropidonotus rhombifer by Edward Hallowell in 1852.
Diamondback water snakes are predominantly brown, dark brown, or dark olive green in color, with a black net-like pattern along the back, with each spot being vaguely diamond-shaped. Dark vertical bars and lighter coloring are often present down the sides of the snake. In typical counter colored fashion, the underside is generally a yellow or lighter brown color often with black blotching.
Their dorsal scales are heavily keeled, giving the snake a rough texture. The dorsal scales are arranged in 25 or 27 rows at midbody. There are usually 3 .
Adult males have multiple papillae (tubercles) on the under surface of the chin, which are not found on any other species of snake in the United States.
They grow to an average length of 30-48 inches (76–122 cm). The record length is 69 inches (175.3 cm).
Neonates are often lighter in color, making their patterns more pronounced, and they darken with age.
The diamondback water snake is one of the most common species of snake within its range. It is found predominantly near slow moving bodies of water such as streams, rivers, ponds, or swamps.
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Wikipedia