MANGROVE WATER SNAKE

(Natrix fasciata compressicauda)

 IDENTIFICATION:  This snake resides in the mangrove swamps of Florida ’s lower coasts.  The skin pattern and coloration of this small water snake is extremely variable, but typically, there will be dark spots or crossbands on a greenish background color on the skin.  Stripes may appear on the neck.  Additionally, some specimens may be almost plain black, others straw-colored, and one fairly common phase is virtually plain red or orange-red.  Mangrove water snakes are usually only 15 to 30 inches in length.

RANGE AND HABITAT:  Identification of mangrove water snakes is often best accomplished on the basis of habitat, as it is chiefly a snake of salt and brackish waters, although it is known to occasionally enter fresh water.  Salt water is an environment not often invaded by other water snakes native to southern Florida .  In south Florida , the mangrove water snake is more heavily concentrated on the west coast and in the Keys.

DIET:  Given their semiaquatic lifestyle, mangrove water snakes obtain most of their food – which includes frogs, salamanders, fish, and crayfish – in or near the water.

FUTURE:  Of the non-venomous snake, water snakes in general have been more maligned partly because they strike and bite hard when cornered, and partly because some people resent the snakes’ predation on fishes.  However, water snakes actually improve good fishing by eating the sick and less vigorous fish and helping to thin out overpopulated lakes and ponds in which the fish would otherwise remain stunted in size.  Like most other animals, the most significant threat to mangrove water snakes is habitat loss. 

Anne Grace

Adopt an Animal Program