Page 16 - Arkansas Snake Guide
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WATER SNAKES
SUZANNE COLLINS
Mississippi Green Water Snake
Nerodia cyclpion
Range Mississippi Delta and Coastal Plain.
Description Keeled scales. Body is drab olive-green or
olive-brown, with an indistinct pattern of narrow black
crossbars across back, alternating with similar black bars
along the sides. Belly is dark brown or dark gray patterned
with yellowish or yellowish cream half-moons. Young
resemble adults. Adults 30-45 inches in length.
Habitat and Habits Inhabits still or very slow-moving
waters, such as lakes, ponds, oxbows, ditches and swamps.
Active March through November. Most aquatic of our
water snakes, seldom found far from water. Breeds April-
May and 8-34 young are born August-September. Feeds
almost exclusively on small fish, but also eats frogs and
salamanders.
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