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Identify venomous water snakes

Water Snake Identification

 

AHHHH!!!!…

A COTTONMOUTH, HURRY KILL IT!!!!…..

Are you sure?

Brad Vollmar

Vollmar Pond and Lake Management

830-992-0928

www.texaspondmanagement.com

You may have chosen your home site or your vacation spot around our most precious natural resource, fresh water. You may have bought your ranch or lot all because of that pond that sits at the back. Water is magnetic….we gravitate to it!

Water is the most unique substance on Earth and it has many special features and characteristics. The aquatic ecosystem is home to numerous plant and animal species. Among these frogs, fish, turtles, snakes, water fowl, cattails, and water lillies. Perhaps the most misunderstood, and loathsome, of these is the snake.

There are many snakes whose preferred habitat description includes water. Snakes play a key role in any ecosystem as they are both predator and prey. The most common water snakes in all of Texas and much of the southeast is the non-venomous Diamond Back Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer rhombifer) and the venomous Western Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorous leucostoma). The range of the Western Cottonmouth in Texas is limited to east Texas, areas around Dallas/Fort Worth, southern shorelines, some of the Hill Country, and parts of the Edwards Plateau. Roughly estimating only about 25% of Texas actually has the venomous Western Cottonmouth. However the Diamond Back Water Snakes range is generally all of Texas, except most of west Texas and the Panhandle (see distribution images below).

How can you identify the non venomous Diamond Back Water Snake from the venomous Western Cottonmouth. The best way to identify these snakes is up close, but it is not recommended to run up and grab a snake without knowing exactly what kind of snake it is. There are some characteristics that can help identify them without being right next to one (see the table below).

Distribution of Diamond Back Water Snake (non-venomous)

Are the snakes in my lake or pond dangerous?

Distribution of Diamond Back Water Snakes (non-venomous) in Texas.

from Texas Snakes, Werler & Dixon, 2000

Images of the Diamond Back Water Snake (non-venomous)

Diamond Back Water Snakes are harmless.

Non-venomous Diamond Back Water Snakes.

Plates 107 & 108 from Texas Snakes, Werler & Dixon, 2000

Distribution of Western Cottonmouth (venomous)

Do I have cottonmouths in my pond or lake?

Distribution of Western Cottonmouth water snake in Texas.

from Texas Snakes, Werler & Dixon, 2000

Image of the Western Cottonmouth (venomous)

Identify venomous water snakes

Western Cottonmouth Image, a venomous water snake

Plate 178 from Texas Snakes, Werler & Dixon, 2000

Identifying Characteristics Table

Characteristics

(seen from a distance)

Western Cottonmouth

(venomous)

Diamond Back Water Snake

(non-venomous)

Swimming Characteristics

Body largely on top of water, with head fully erect out of the water, nearly parallel to the water surface

Head barely out of water, with body under water

Markings

Typically dark brown or black and lack luster. Older adults have a nearly black appearance with faint markings. However, juveniles exhibit blotchy cross banding alternating between light and dark

Typically light brown, yellowish, or olive. “Chain like” markings readily visible unless covered with algae or silt. The markings are similar to chain-link fencing.

Facial Profile

Angular

Flattened

Characteristics

(seen up close)

Western Cottonmouth

(venomous)

Diamond Back Water Snake

(non-venomous)

Behavior

Somewhat timid, has many warnings before striking

Very pugnacious, strikes without warning.

(I have personally had these snakes pursue me in my boat while performing pond and lake management activities)

Facial Pits

Pits between eyes and nostrils, hence a pit viper

No Pits

Pupils

Elliptical

Round

Scale Rows Under Tail

One row

Two Rows

Tabular data from Texas Snakes, Werler & Dixon, 2000

By knowing the identifying characteristics of the venomous Western Cottonmouth and the non-venomous Diamond Back Water Snake you can feel more at ease at your pond, lake, or river front. Since snakes play a key role in any ecosystem it is advised not to kill these snakes, however exceptions are sometimes made when they are close to your home. The goal should be to discourage snakes from living in your pond or lake.

Pond and Lake Management Techniques to Deter Snakes

  • Keep a 15-20′ wide strip mowed around your pond, lake, or river front. The snakes like the protection of brush and grasses, it makes them feel secure. Make sure when you are mowing this strip that the clippings do not go directly into the pond or lake, this will encourage algae blooms.

  • Limit the amount of debris touching the ground. Keep wood piles, garden hoses, swim toys, etc. off of the ground, these can make an excellent hiding place for snakes.

  • Do not discourage large birds like egrets and herons. These large birds eat these snakes

Brad Vollmar

Vollmar Pond and Lake Management

830-992-0928

www.texaspondmanagement.com