Nerodia sipedon pleuralis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nerodia sipedon pleuralis |
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| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Colubridae |
| Genus: | Nerodia |
| Species: | |
| Subspecies: |
N. s. pleuralis
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| Trinomial name | |
| Nerodia sipedon pleuralis (Cope, 1892)
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The midland water snake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) is a type of snake. It is a subspecies of the northern water snake. This means it is a specific kind within the larger northern water snake family.
These snakes are not venomous, so they are harmless to humans. They are found only in North America. This makes them an endemic animal to this continent.
Contents
Where Does the Midland Water Snake Live?
Geographic Range in the United States
The midland water snake lives in the central and southern parts of the United States. You can find them in many states. These include Alabama, northern Arkansas, and northwestern Georgia.
They also live in southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and western Kentucky. Other states where they are found are southeastern Louisiana, Mississippi, and southern Missouri. You might also see them in southeastern Oklahoma, northwestern South Carolina, and western and southeastern Tennessee.
What Does the Midland Water Snake Look Like?
Snake's Appearance and Markings
This snake has a cool pattern on its body. Near its head, it has dark bands that go across its body. These bands are on a lighter background color.
As you move down its body towards the tail, the pattern changes. The crossbands turn into three rows of square-shaped blotches. These blotches are arranged in an alternating pattern. The light spaces between these dark markings are wider than the dark parts.
Belly Markings and Size
If you look at the snake's belly, you'll see special markings. These are crescent-shaped (like a half-moon) marks on its belly scales. They often form two lines or stripes along its underside.
Midland water snakes can grow quite long. The longest one ever recorded was about 131 centimeters (51.5 inches). However, most adult snakes are usually between 56 and 102 centimeters (22 to 40 inches) long.
What Kind of Home Does This Snake Like?
Preferred Wet Habitats
The midland water snake loves wet places. It lives in habitats that have plenty of water. These include marshes, ponds, and streams. They also like swales, which are low, wet areas.
Following Rivers to the Coast
In the Southern United States, these snakes often follow river valleys. They use these river paths to travel. You can find them all the way down to the Gulf Coast.
