DIAMONDBACK WATERSNAKE
Nerodia rhombifer
Constrictor- Nonvenomous
The diamondback watersnake is 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. The underside is generally a yellow or lighter brown color, often with black blotching. The dorsal scales are heavily keeled, giving the snake a rough texture.
This snake grows to an average total length (including tail) 30–48 inches.
Diamond-backed watersnakes eat fish, especially slow-moving or dead fish, frogs, toads, and salamanders.
The diamondback water snake is the largest watersnake in Missouri. It is found predominantly near slow-moving bodies of water such as streams, rivers, ponds, or swamps. It will fight fiercely to defend itself, but it is harmless.
Absent from the Ozarks, common in the southeastern corner, north along the Mississippi River floodplain, and in northern Missouri in the Missouri river floodplain.
The diamondback watersnake is 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. The underside is generally a yellow or lighter brown color, often with black blotching. The dorsal scales are heavily keeled, giving the snake a rough texture.
This snake grows to an average total length (including tail) 30–48 inches.
Diamond-backed watersnakes eat fish, especially slow-moving or dead fish, frogs, toads, and salamanders.
The diamondback water snake is the largest watersnake in Missouri. It is found predominantly near slow-moving bodies of water such as streams, rivers, ponds, or swamps. It will fight fiercely to defend itself, but it is harmless.
Absent from the Ozarks, common in the southeastern corner, north along the Mississippi River floodplain, and in northern Missouri in the Missouri river floodplain.
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