Discover the 6 Water Snakes Lurking in Nebraska Waters

Snakes are some of the most fascinating animals in the world and they inhabit a wide variety of habitats — including wetlands. Although true water snakes are only snakes which are members of the Nerodia genus there are still many other semi-aquatic snakes which you can find in and around the water. Of the 29 snakes in Nebraska six of them can be found in the water.

So, let’s discover everything you need to know about the water snakes in Nebraska, including where they live, what they look like, and if they are dangerous.

1. Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon)

We’ll begin the list with the only true water snake in the state — the northern water snake. Northern water snakes live in the eastern two-thirds on Nebraska, where they live virtually any freshwater habitat. They are large snakes with thick bodies and can reach lengths of approximately five feet. They have dark brown bodies which are overlaid with darker markings. Their markings consist of crossbands in the neck region which transition to blotches further down their body. Northern water snakes typically prey on fish which they seize in their jaws and swallow alive. They have powerful jaws and sharp teeth to help them grasp their prey. Although they are not venomous snakes, they can deliver a nasty bite. Wounds typically bleed a lot due to the anti-coagulant which they possess in their saliva.

2. Graham’s Crayfish Snake (Regina grahamii)

The next water snake in Nebraska is Graham’s crayfish snake which inhabits the extreme southeastern region of the state. Graham’s crayfish snakes are 18 to 26 inches long and have grayish brown bodies with keeled dorsal scales and a yellow belly. They typically live in slow-moving bodies of water, such as swamps, oxbow lakes, streams, and ditches. They have a specialized diet and mainly prey on freshly molted crayfish. However, if there are not sufficient crayfish around then they will also prey on frogs and toads. Graham’s crayfish snakes are not aggressive and typically defecate if they are handled instead of biting.

3. Western Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis proximus)

In Nebraska, western ribbon snakes are approximately 20 to 30 inches long and have dark bodies with and orange stripe down the center of their back. They also have a white stripe down each side and a plain, unmarked white belly. Like Graham’s crayfish snakes, western ribbon snakes only occur in the southeastern corner of the state. However, they typically live near to lakes and ponds and in wet meadows and prairies. Western ribbon snakes are primarily diurnal snakes but often become crepuscular during periods of hot weather. They eat a variety of fish and amphibians as well as some small lizards.

4. Plains Garter Snake (Thamnophis radix)

Plains garter snakes are slender snakes which reach 20 to 28 inches long, although the females are usually larger than the males. They are typically greenish-brown with three orange or yellow stripes which run right from their head to the tip of their tail. They have one stripe down the center of their back and one on either side of their body on scale rows three and four. Most plains garter snakes also have black lips and yellow spots on their head. Plains garter snakes live right across the state of Nebraska and inhabit wetland areas around ponds, streams, and lakes. They prey on a variety of fish, amphibians, slugs, and earthworms.

5. Terrestrial Garter Snake (Thamnophis elegans)

The terrestrial garter snake is the next water snake in Nebraska and is approximately 20 to 30 inches long. Terrestrial garter snakes are usually gray or brown with three orange, yellow, or white stripes — one down their back and one on either side. Many of these snakes also have either black or red spots between the stripes. Terrestrial garter snakes occur only in Sioux County and live in wet meadows and areas close to streams. They are mildly venomous to their prey which consists of fish, frogs, toads, salamanders, lizards, worms, and some small mammals.

6. Common Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

The final snake is the common garter snake which varies widely in appearance. However, most common garter snakes are black or brown with light-colored stripes and a yellow or white belly. Common garter snakes can be found statewide and rarely stray far from water. Favored habitats include stream sides, river banks, and wet meadows. Like the terrestrial garter snake, they are slightly venomous to their prey, although neither are dangerous to humans. Common garter snakes prey on a variety of fish, amphibians, slugs, snails, and lizards. Predators of these snakes include snapping turtles, large fish, birds of prey, and larger snakes.

Summary of 6 Water Snakes Lurking in Nebraska Waters