Florida's Snakes
Florida Green Watersnake
(Nerodia floridana)NON-VENOMOUS
Solid-colored
Florida Green Watersnake
Photo by Dr Steve A. Johnson. This photo may not be used for any purpose without the express written permission of the photographer.
Size:
Usually 2.5–4.5 ft. (max. ~6 ft.)
Identification:
Body is usually dark olive to brown but sometimes reddish; younger snakes may be marked with light and dark speckles. It is nearly identical in appearance to the Mississippi Green Watersnake, but its pale belly is unmarked. Scales have obvious lengthwise ridges (keels). This snake gives birth to live young. Like other watersnakes, it is sometimes mistaken for the venomous Cottonmouth but is thinner and has round eye pupils.
Habitats:
Found throughout most of Florida in open freshwater habitats with abundant vegetation, including ponds, lakes, marshes, wet prairies, and canals. It is occasionally found in brackish marshes.
Diet:
Fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders
Map by Monica E. McGarrity - may be used freely for education.