These 2 Water Snakes Call New Mexico Home — Are Either Dangerous?

New Mexico is home to about fifty native species of snakes and many more introduced species. The state is rocky, dry and includes part of North America’s largest desert, the Chihuahuan. Because of the dry climate, you may be wondering if New Mexico even has any water snakes. While there aren’t many water snakes in New Mexico, there are two native species that call the state home.

Venomous Snakes in New Mexico

There are 11 species of venomous snakes in New Mexico. Out of these, nine of them are a species of rattlesnake. The other two are the Arizona coral snake and the desert massasauga. None of the venomous snakes in New Mexico are water snakes. All of these venomous species live in rocky or dry areas.

Water Snakes

There are two species of water snakes that live in New Mexico. Water snakes are classified as spending most of their time in and around water. You may see other snake species around ponds and other water sources, but unless their species is known to live in water, it isn’t included on this list. 

Plain-Bellied Water Snake

The plain-bellied water snake, also known by its scientific name Nerodia erythrogaster, lives around areas of water in the state. They are large with thick bodies and necks, growing around 2.5 to 4 feet long. Plain-bellied water snakes are a solid color and are most often dark brown or black. Subspecies can also be gray or olive green. 

When plain-bellied water snakes are young, they have a banded pattern that looks similar to banded water snakes. However, they can be identified as plain-bellied water snakes by their tan or white bellies. Banded water snakes have bands that circle all the way around their bodies.

They spend most of their days swimming, basking on logs, or traveling over land. In the summer, they travel long distances from their water source. This is because they are more active during the warmer months and less active when it gets cold. The snakes hibernate during the winter. 

Habitat

Plain-bellied water snakes live in the southeast regions of New Mexico. They have not been spotted across the entire state, likely because of the few water sources. There have been sightings of the species around Carlsbad and further south. These snakes usually live their lives around permanent water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds. 

Prey and Predators

Plain-bellied water snakes eat amphibians and small fish, along with other creatures that are in the water they inhabit. They are active predators and will usually hunt for their meals. Sometimes the snakes will sit in the water and wait for their prey to swim by them. Once they catch their prey, they swallow it while it’s still alive.

The snakes also have to keep an eye out for predators that want to eat them. A few bird species prey on the plain-bellied water snake, like egrets and hawks. Some fish will also eat them, like largemouth bass. They also have to keep a lookout for other snakes, though their main predators are birds. If they feel threatened, the snakes will usually attempt to flee over land instead of staying in the water. They will also bite.

Threat to Humans

Plain-bellied water snakes are non-venomous and aren’t very aggressive. If they feel threatened they will bite their attacker repeatedly. Most bites from water snakes have only occurred after a person intentionally bothered or attacked the snakes.

In fact, we are more of a threat to these snakes than they are to us. Plain-bellied water snakes are not yet a threatened species, but they are at risk of becoming one in the future. This is because the snakes travel so far and often across land during the warm months. Habitat loss and the presence of human developments like roadways are responsible for the deaths of many of these snakes.

Blotched Water Snake

The blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa, is a subspecies of the plain-bellied water snake. These two species are very similar snakes apart from a few minor differences. The main difference is that blotched water snakes have blotched patterns on their skin rather than a solid color. They are usually a blotched olive-green, brown, or gray and are a little lighter in color than their plain-bellied relatives. They also have a plain yellow or white belly. 

Blotched water snakes usually grow to around 2 to 3 feet, with the largest recorded specimen being 5 feet long. They live in the same habitat as the plain-bellied water snakes and also eat amphibians and fish. They are non-venomous and will rarely bite unless threatened. 

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