Photo: Judy Gallagher, CC BY 2.0
← All snakes
Non-venomous
Non-venomous
Banded Water Snake
Nerodia fasciata
- How to spot it
- Heavy body with dark crossbands that can fade as the snake ages. Dark bars on the lip scales and round pupils.
- Where you’ll see it
- Ponds, retention ponds, ditches, lakes and marshes.
- What it eats
- Fish and frogs.
- Good to know
- Will flatten its body and may bite if cornered, but it is non-venomous.
- Often confused with
- The venomous Cottonmouth. Bands on the mouth mean watersnake. A dark bar across the eye and no bands on the mouth mean cottonmouth.
Questions
Is the Banded Water Snake venomous?
No. The Banded Water Snake is non-venomous. Leave it alone and give it space, and it will move on. If you need it moved, text a photo to (904) 895-7773.
Where is the Banded Water Snake found in Florida?
Ponds, retention ponds, ditches, lakes and marshes.
Want it moved?
Text a photo and where you are to (904) 895-7773. We will tell you what it is, and help if it needs to move.
