Are There Water Snakes in Nevada?

As a land-locked state understood for being rather dry and hot, Nevada is definitely a sanctuary for a vast array of snake types. But exist any water snakes in Nevada? Furthermore, what makes up a water snake? What other kinds of snakes can you anticipate to come across in the Silver State? Let’s explore this subject in a bit more depth listed below. In addition, we’ll be having a look at a few of Nevada’s most fascinating snakes.

What Is a Water Snake?

Before we enter into the kinds of snakes in Nevada and whether water snakes reside in the location, it’ll help to very first gain a much better understanding of exactly what a water snake is. 

Essentially, a water snake is any among 9 overall types within the genus Nerodia. This taxonomic name originates from Greek and loosely equates to “flowing” or “liquid.” Furthermore, the genus falls under what is presently the biggest family of snakes, Colubridae. Also recognized merely as “colubrids,” these snakes are mainly non-venomous and rear-fanged, rather than elapid snakes, which have fangs situated towards the front of the mouth, and viperids, which have actually hinged fangs that can turn and move separately. Since water snakes do not have these fangs, they are not able to inject any sort of venom.

While water snakes are certainly not amphibious and cannot breathe undersea, they are still extremely marine in nature. They spend the majority of their lives in or near bodies of water, many typically slow-moving rivers or still lakes, swamps, and wetlands. 

Many types are appropriate for this marine way of life with adjustments like the diamondback water snake’s distinctively sharp teeth that are perfect for grasping and biting into oily, slick fish and amphibians. Other ranges have anal glands that can spray a foul-smelling musk as a defense reaction considering that they do not have venom and are not constrictor snakes.

All 9 types within the Nerodia genus are belonging to North America. They mostly reside in warmer, more damp areas with big wetlands and marshes. Most types live throughout the southern and eastern parts of the United States, with a couple of living as far south as Mexico and as far north as Canada.

Does Nevada Have Water Snakes?

Now that we’ve quickly covered what water snakes are and where they typically live, let’s address whether any of them reside in Nevada. Fortunately for Nevadans who fear these flaky snakes, none of the 9 recognized types of water snakes reside in the state. As among the driest states in the United States, Nevada gets just around 10 inches of rain annually. The bulk of its environment is either dry or semi-arid. This makes it perfect for numerous types of snakes– simply not water snakes.

Because Nevada is so dry, it isn’t precisely the perfect location for wetlands, marshes, and swamps, which occur to be the favored environment of all 9 ranges of water snakes. It is a land-locked state filled with extreme deserts, much of which do not have substantial water sources for numerous miles. Additionally, while the state has really hot summertimes, its winter seasons are remarkably cold and unforgiving. These elements integrated produce an environment that merely does not support a water snake’s way of life.

However, although water snakes don’t discover Nevada to be especially welcoming, the state’s dry and extreme environment is still a perfect environment for lots of other ranges of snakes. In truth, the Silver State is among the most snake-infested states in the whole nation, with 52 distinct types living there.

Other Types of Common Snakes in Nevada

Before we liquidate this post, let’s have a look at a few of Nevada’s most significant kinds of snakes in basic. We’ll analyze why they’re so distinct and what you must learn about them. Specifically, we’ll check out 3 of the state’s most fascinating types: the Mojave rattlesnake, the striped whipsnake, and the western diamondback rattlesnake.

1. Mojave Green Rattlesnake (Crotalus scutulatus)

As Nevada’s most poisonous snake, it’s finest to approach the Mojave green rattlesnake with severe care. What’s more, it’s one of Nevada’s most aggressive snake types. It frequently attacks increasingly when provoked, approached, and even mistakenly surprised. It generally lives throughout the southern half of the state in desert areas with really little plant life– not that the snake requires the plant life for cover or defense anyhow, with such powerful venom!

As its typical name indicates, this snake’s pigmentation varies from dark brown to a pale green shade. Along the top of its back is a dark brown diamond-like pattern with pale yellow to white describes. It averages 3 to 4.5 feet long. Interestingly, the Mojave desert comprises really little bit of its native variety, which really extends throughout much of the southwestern United States and parts of Mexico.

Specifically, the Mojave green’s venom is both neurotoxic and hemotoxic. This suggests it does substantial damage to its victims’ nerve systems, entirely damages red cell, and even entirely interrupts blood clot.

2. Striped Whipsnake (Masticophis taeniatus)

While the striped whipsnake is fortunately non-venomous, it is significant for being among Nevada’s longest snakes. It’s among 11 overall types within the Masticophis genus. This group mostly includes whip snakes, or coachwhips, with long, thin bodies. Like most other whip snakes, the striped whipsnake is mainly safe to people.

Incredibly, the striped whipsnake’s body can vary from 30 to 72 inches long when completely grown! Its dark brown body is accentuated by thin, pale yellow stripes running horizontally down its sides. Despite being long, however, it is a weak-bodied snake that tends to be really afraid and skittish around people. Its diet plan is generally comprised of little lizards, frogs, birds, and bugs. Occasionally, it will likewise eat smaller sized, frequently hatchling or juvenile rattlesnakes.

As a diurnal types, the striped whipsnake is generally active throughout the day. You most likely won’t fast or sharp adequate to find it in action, however, due to its really fast-moving, alert habits. It’s durable adequate to reside in a vast array of environments, however it typically conceals among brush and scrublands. It likewise often visits rocky outcrops and forests when it isn’t actively hunting victim.

3. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)

The last of Nevada’s snakes we’ll highlight here is none besides the western diamondback rattlesnake. This terrifying types takes place to be the state’s biggest range of rattlesnakes. It’s really among North America’s biggest rattlesnakes (and amongst its biggest poisonous snakes in basic), 2nd just to the eastern diamondback, to which it is really carefully associated. Its strong, significant body can grow to over 6 feet in length, with some specimens even reaching 7 feet long!

Unfortunately for Nevada’s ophidiophobes, the western diamondback can be discovered throughout much of the state, in addition to much of the southwestern United States. It can likewise prosper in a vast array of environments, consisting of flat, sporadic deserts, scrublands, high canyons and rocky outcrops, and even meadows and forests. As a heavy snake and inexperienced climber, however, it tends to prevent trees and high elevations.

True to its distinct name, this snake’s grayish-brown body has a popular diamond-shaped pattern extending down its back. Its rattling tail is marked by anywhere from 2 to 8 thin, black stripes. Like most viperid snakes, its big head is broad and triangular. When provoked, it will coil its body and shake its rattle at assailants. When that strategy doesn’t work for it, however, it is really fast to strike in defense.

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