Missouri Department of Conservation
Home » Discover Nature » Field Guide

Mississippi Green Watersnake

Nerodia cyclopion
Family: 
Colubridae (nonvenomous snakes) in the order Squamata (lizards and snakes)
Description: 

This semiaquatic snake was once somewhat common in southeastern Missouri but is now quite rare. A heavy-bodied snake, it is greenish-brown with numerous small, obscure brown markings. The belly is dark gray with numerous, yellow half-moon-shaped markings. Watersnakes, although not venomous, do bite viciously to defend themselves and also secret a strong-smelling musk from glands at the base of the tail.

Size: 
It is 30 to 45 inches (76-114 cm) in length.
Habitat and conservation: 
Due to drastic reductions in native cypress swamps, this species is Endangered in Missouri, and probably extirpated.
Foods: 
This swamp-dwelling snake feeds mainly on fish, salamanders, frogs and crayfish.
Distribution in Missouri: 
Restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.
Status: 
Endangered and probably extirpated in Missouri.

Other Content You May Like

  • Massasauga (Massasauga Rattlesnake)

    This shy, reclusive, nonaggressive rattlesnake used to live in floodplain wetlands of the Mississippi, Missouri and Grand rivers, but as those wetlands have been drained and destroyed, the massasauga has disappeared with them. Now it is an endangered species.

  • Snakes and Lizards Holding Their Own

    Jeff Briggler, our herpetologist, stopped by the other day to mention the upcoming Year of the Frog.

  • Broad-Banded Watersnake

    A beautiful semiaquatic snake that is named for the broad, irregular shaped bands along the back. These bands can be brown, red-brown, or black and are separated by yellow and gray. This nonvenomous species is restricted to the southeastern corner of the state.

  • Northern Diamond-Backed Watersnake

    Of the seven types of watersnakes native to Missouri, the diamond-backed is the largest. The overall color may be light brown or dull yellow, with dark brown markings on the sides and back. This species is absent from the Ozarks but common in the southeastern corner and over northern and western Missouri. It does not occur in our extreme northern counties.

  • Northern Scarletsnake

    One of Missouri's most brilliantly colored snakes is extremely rare to find. It is similar in pattern and color to the red milksnake, but instead has a red or orange color snout and a spotless, white belly. It is named for the red or crimson colored blotches along the back.

  • Plains Hog-Nosed Snake

    The plains hog-nosed snake differs from the eastern hog-nosed snake by having a sharply upturned snout and black pigment on the underside of the tail. This species has always been quite rare in the state and has not been seen for many years; it has probably been extirpated.

  • Western Foxsnake

    This is a marsh-dwelling member of the ratsnake group. General color is yellowish, greenish-brown or tan, with large brown blotches on the back and smaller ones on the sides. Its status in Missouri is rare.

MDC's Mission, Vision, Priorities

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.

We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Find out more

missouri department of conservation jobs
Shortened URL
http://mdc.mo.gov/node/6577
Serving Nature and You

MDC protects and manages Missouri's fish, forest, and wildlife resources.
We also facilitate your participation in resource-management activities, and we provide opportunities for you to use, enjoy and learn about nature.

Featured Pic

Check out the featured picture and other images at the MDC Media Gallery

Visit the media gallery
Popular Topics

Follow MDC on Twitter Facebook YouTube Flickr Pinterest Slideshare MDC RSS feeds

© 2013 Conservation Commission of Missouri. All rights reserved.