banner 1
banner 1
+
copy12_nerodia fasciata pictiventris
copy12_nerodia fasciata pictiventris
+
copy42_copy53_1
copy42_copy53_1
+
ner fas pic
ner fas pic
+
copy42_data
copy42_data
+
copy59_2
copy59_2
+

Species notes based on experience:

In the UK this is a hard snake to find. This is a real shame and efforts are underway by a number of breeders to help bolster their numbers. All Water snakes of genus Nerodia are moderate sized snakes that generally feed very well. For a long time the only option keepers had was to purchase wild caught examples. On occasion these could be ferocious animals but for the most part they acquitted themselves well save for occasionally urinating when held. Captive bred animals are usually a pleasure to work with. Nerodia tend to freeze when held. This is a defence mechanism and actually works to the keeper’s advantage. Born with wonderfully bold saddles and whilst these diffuse they retain more of their pattern that the Southern Banded Water Snake. A Palette of rich tans, yellows and reds make this a very attractive snake. This a very sought after subspecies of Nerodia.   
 
Score analysis:

Young animals are very very fast, this is universally true for all Nerodia. Captive bred babies are rarely if ever aggressive. Once you have managed to catch up with one and actually pick it up they regularly will freeze in your hand. The longer we can encourage this behaviour to continue the quicker the snake naturally calms down and will not take flight as easily when you enter the enclosure. Particularly nervous animals may empty the contents of the cloaca and whip their tails in it to try and dissuade you from eating them. Keep in mind just how nervous this snake is. Nerodia species have proportionally huge litters and the babies are tiny.    

American Water Snakes may try to escape particularly when young but older animals tend to be pretty sedentary and flight is not common. If disturbed and unimpressed by the intrusion the snake may flatten its body spreading its ribs to appear bigger. Occasionally you may get strikes but these tend to be bluff strikes rather than aimed directly at you. Usually once a strike has taken place the head is buried under a coil of the body.

There is a juxtaposition we have to discuss here. The same is true for Garter Snakes (Thamnophis). Hardiness in the wild is unquestionable. They survive in the most unlikely of places and adapt to succeed in life. Because of their close association with water keepers will often create damp and fusty enclosures. This can cause chronic blistering to the skin of the snake and introduces a dangerously high pathogen level. It is imperative that water snakes are capable of drying off completely and being able to bask away from the water source. Excellent ventilation will be needed to ensure good air movement to reduce fungal and bacterial build up. If there is a large volume of water this would also be filtered to ensure it stays as clean as possible as it simply is not practical to do a daily water change at this point.    

Nerodia fit into the perfect ‘goldilocks size’ of snake. Not large enough to be intimidating but large enough to feed themselves on prey you can source with relative ease. This is one of the reasons they make a superb choice of snake for the beginner.  

American Water Snakes belong to the family Natricinae where most genera are semi-aquatic and feed on fish and amphibians. This offers a great alternative to people who maybe are allergic to or have a fear of mammals. There are considerations here though. Some fish contain an emzyme which stops the uptake of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine). This enzyme is called Thiaminase. By feeding fish that exclusively contain thiaminase this can lead to a vitamin B1 deficiency that in time can prove fatal to your pet.
Fish that do not contain Thiaminase include:
Bass, Cod, American Eel, Common Eel, Flounder, Haddock, Lance Fish, Hake, Halibut, Mackerel, Perch, Plaice, Pollock, Atlantic Salmon, Sea Bass, Sea Trout, Skate, Smelt, Sprat, Tilapia and Brown/Lake/Rainbow Trout.
Avoid goldfish and other carp varieties.  

Enclosure recommendations:

Tub:
    33-50ltr tub. Exceptional adults will require a vivarium. Ensure the Really Useful Box or similar is well ventilated to ensure humidity levels do not become dangerously high and lead to fungal infections and blistering to the skin.

Vivarium:
    90cm x 45cm x 45cm

Budget rig: -
    40cm x 30cm heat pad
    On / off thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Warm hide
    Cool hide
    Water bowl
    substrate

Recommended rig (vivarium only): -
    150w ceramic heat emitter
    Ceramic lamp holder and bracket
    Bulb guard
    Day night thermostat
    Digital thermometer to monitor thermostat performance
    Various logs and caves along the thermal gradient
    Damp hide (optional)
    Climbing and exercise branches
    Plants and foliage (live or artificial – your choice)
    Water bowl
    Substrate
    UVB light (8w T5 shade dweller 7% kit from Arcadia or equivalent) (recommended) – American Water Snakes are diurnal animals.
    

Climate analysis:

This snake has the potential to remain active year round although the active hours of the day may be curtailed during winter. In particularly harsh seasons a brumation may be imposed but this would be relatively short lived. In captivity the majority of snake will feed year round and a short period of cooler temperatures and reduced light cycle should be enough to encourage breeding behaviours and help limit problems associated with obesity.

Conclusion:

A fabulous although rare snake to find in the UK. There are a lot of fans of this genus in the UK. In the US there is a troublesome habit of seeing them as a junk snake not to be bothered with as they are native and seen in buoyant numbers. More people are switching on to what Nerodia have to offer the hobby. It is my sincere hope that all members of the genus develop the reputation of reliability that many of us older keepers love this snake for.

copy73_4
copy73_4
+
copy18_3
copy18_3
+

All photographic content provided on this page courtesy of Matthew Dove. He retains the copyright for these photographs. Please do not reproduce without consent.
The Photographs above are Dade County Florida locale.
The Photographs below are Withlachoochie River Florida locale.

copy67_2
copy67_2
+
copy88_1
copy88_1
+
copy31_5
copy31_5
+
copy67_3
copy67_3
+
copy33_4
copy33_4
+
copy50_usa - florida copy
copy50_usa - florida copy
+
copy63_usa - georgia copy
copy63_usa - georgia copy
+