Southern california water snakes. Click on a name link to go to the main page for more pictures and information about a particular snake and its habitat. Expansion of non native watersnake populations will likely cause direct competition with native garter snakes including the state and federally threatened giant garter snake thamnophis gigas. The western diamondback crotalus atrox is a pit viper that lives in dry arid habitats.
The university of georgia press athens georgia and london. This harmless snake is common in southern california and less common in the san joaquin valley and foothills and is active during the day. In placer county they have been found along the edge of a large freshwater marsh.
Often while digging in leaf litter or under rocks or other surface objects. This snake lives just about anywhere near fresh water rivers creeks canals lakes ponds oxbows reservoirs bogs swamps and marshes. However be aware that sometimes the rattle may be missing or broken off.
These are pictures of californias indigenous snakes along with one introduced species and one that might occur in california. The brazos river water snake nerodia harteri and the concho water snake nerodia paucimaculata are listed as near threatened because their respective ranges are limited to about 1900 square. Invasion of the florida water snake nerodia fasciata pictiventris in southern california.
California gartersnakes are medium sized slender snakes with a head barely wider than the neck and scales on the back which are keeled having a ridge lengthwise on each scale. Color can be brown tan black or brick red. This is considered to be the most.
In california southern watersnakes are found in sacramento yolo and los angeles counties. It also inhabits brackish and saltwater habitats in some locations. Guide to the reptiles and amphibians of the savannah river site.
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