Florida Banded Watersnake
Nerodia fasciata pictiventris
The Florida Banded Watersnake is a common nonvenomous snake of ponds, marshes, canals, and other freshwater habitats.
Florida Banded Watersnakes live close to freshwater throughout much of the peninsula. They are frequently mistaken for venomous cottonmouths.
They help balance aquatic prey populations and usually leave when given space. Shoreline vegetation offers cover, basking locations, and hunting habitat.
Habitat:
Freshwater Wetlands, Lakes and Ponds, Rivers and Springs, Canals and Ditches
Area / Range:
North Florida, Central Florida, South Florida
Diet:
They eat fish, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, and other small aquatic prey.
Behavior:
These strong swimmers bask near water and retreat quickly when disturbed. If grabbed, they may bite repeatedly and release musk.
Day, Night, Dawn, Dusk
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Basking or swimming near freshwater during warm weather, especially around vegetated shorelines.
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
Common native subspecies. Wetland quality, shoreline habitat, and public tolerance support local populations.
Safety Level:
Nonvenomous. Do Not Handle
Safety Information:
Do not touch or identify a snake by handling it. Keep children and pets back, provide an escape route, and contact a qualified professional if removal is necessary.
Benefits to Property:
They consume fish and amphibians and serve as prey for larger wetland wildlife.
Property Concerns:
They may appear near pools, ponds, docks, and drainage areas. Defensive biting is possible if someone attempts to capture them.
Fun Fact:
Florida Banded Watersnakes give birth to live young rather than laying eggs.
Wildlife Laws:
This is native nonvenomous wildlife. Do not kill snakes unnecessarily, and follow Florida wildlife-control rules for capture, possession, transport, or removal.
Identification:
Young snakes show dark crossbands over tan, reddish, or gray bodies. Older adults often darken. The eyes have round pupils, and dark lines mark the lip scales.
Credits:
Facts: Florida Museum snake identification. Images: Florida Watersnake and banded watersnake.