DIAMONDBACK WATER SNAKE

Photo © by Suzanne L. Collins
Used by permission

• Size:   Length in Kansas up to 55 1/2 inches.

• Description:   Harmless. Strongly keeled scales; dark spots shaped like half-moons scattered irregularly on yellow belly; 30–65 narrow dark brown, black or gray bands on a light gray or yellowish gray body. Young same as adults.
• Habits:    Inhabits permanent lakes, marshes and swamps and backwaters of rivers. Active from March to September; basks during the day on brush, logs and grassy banks along edge of water. In summer, searches for food at night. Large litters, ranging from 13-62 young are usually born from August to early October. Feeds primarily on slow-moving or dead fishes.

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  and what to do if you have been bitten by one.

  Other Kansas water snakes