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

New Mexico is home to about fifty native types of snakes and much more presented types. The state is rocky, dry and consists of part of North America’s biggest desert, the Chihuahuan. Because of the dry environment, you might be questioning if New Mexico even has any water snakes. While there aren’t numerous water snakes in New Mexico, there are 2 native types that call the state home.

Venomous Snakes in New Mexico

There are 11 types of poisonous snakes in New Mexico. Out of these, 9 of them are a types of rattlesnake. The other 2 are the Arizona coral snake and the desert massasauga. None of the poisonous snakes in New Mexico are water snakes. All of these poisonous types reside in rocky or dry locations.

Water Snakes

There are 2 types of water snakes that reside in New Mexico. Water snakes are categorized as spending the majority of their time in and around water. You might see other snake types around ponds and other water sources, however unless their types is understood to reside in water, it isn’t consisted of on this list. 

Plain-bellied Water Snake

The plain-bellied water snake, likewise understood by its taxonomic name Nerodia erythrogaster, lives around locations of water in the state. They are big with thick bodies and necks, growing around 2.5 to 4 feet long. Plain-bellied water snakes are a strong color and are frequently dark brown or black. Subspecies can likewise be gray or olive green. 

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

They spend the majority of their days swimming, basking on logs, or taking a trip over land. In the summertime, they take a trip cross countries from their water source. This is since they are more active throughout the warmer months and less active when it gets cold. The snakes hibernate throughout the winter season. 

Habitat

Plain-bellied water snakes reside in the southeast areas of New Mexico. They have actually not been found throughout the whole state, likely since of the couple of water sources. There have actually been sightings of the types around Carlsbad and more south. These snakes normally live their lives around long-term water sources like rivers, lakes, and ponds. 

Prey and Predators

Plain-bellied water snakes consume amphibians and little fish, together with other animals that remain in the water they occupy. They are active predators and will normally hunt for their meals. Sometimes the snakes will being in the water and wait on their victim to swim by them. Once they capture their victim, they swallow it while it’s still alive.

The snakes likewise need to watch out for predators that wish to consume them. A couple of bird types victimize the plain-bellied water snake, like egrets and hawks. Some fish will likewise consume them, like largemouth bass. They likewise need to keep a lookout for other snakes, though their primary predators are birds. If they feel threatened, the snakes will normally try to get away over land rather of remaining in the water. They will likewise bite.

Threat to Humans

Plain-bellied water snakes are non-venomous and aren’t extremely aggressive. If they feel threatened they will bite their assaulter consistently. Most bites from water snakes have actually just taken place after an individual purposefully troubled or assaulted the snakes.

In reality, we are more of a risk to these snakes than they are to us. Plain-bellied water snakes are not yet a threatened types, however they are at threat of turning into one in the future. This is since the snakes take a trip up until now and frequently throughout land throughout the warm months. Habitat loss and the existence of human advancements like highways are accountable for the deaths of a number of these snakes.

Blotched Water Snake

The blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa, is a subspecies of the plain-bellied water snake. These 2 types are extremely comparable snakes apart from a couple of small distinctions. The primary distinction is that blotched water snakes have actually blotched patterns on their skin instead of a strong color. They are normally a blotched olive-green, brown, or gray and are a little lighter in color than their plain-bellied loved ones. They likewise have a plain yellow or white stomach. 

Blotched water snakes normally grow to around 2 to 3 feet, with the biggest taped specimen being 5 feet long. They reside in the very same environment as the plain-bellied water snakes and likewise consume amphibians and fish. They are non-venomous and will seldom bite unless threatened. 

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