The northern water snake feeds heavily on fish and amphibians, swallowing its prey alive.
There are 8 caches in this series. Click on the links below to view the complete species account, range maps, and more photos. The Iowa DNR confirmed that it was not a cottonmouth, but a northern water snake that is a look-alike to a cottonmouth. Diet. If the northern water snake swallows the catfish head first, it should have no problem. Northern water snakes like a wide variety of aquatic habitats. It's located in Iowa, United States.This series is meant to teach people about the variety of snakes we have in Iowa, there are 28 total snakes and all unique. Northern water snakes are NOT venomous and are found throughout Iowa. As the snakes get older their color will darken, and the older adult snakes will actually have a body that is almost entirely black. Iowa has 28 species of snakes. Per one study, average total length of females was 81.4 cm (2 ft 8 in) while that of males was 69.6 cm (2 ft 3 in). The Northern Water Snake can be found in a variety of colors, but the majority will have bands of brown, black and dark green, although they can also have a sandy or reddish color on the body. Colin Wehrle sent us this photo that he took on a private pond in southeast Iowa. It's a Small size geocache, with difficulty of 1.5, terrain of 3. Colin estimated the snake at about 3 feet long. They can be seen basking on rocks and prefer slow-moving or standing water near places where they can bask in the sun, such as ponds, vernal pools (seasonal pools of water), and lakes.
Northern Prairie Skink: Plestiodon septentrionalis Six-lined Racerunner: Aspidoscelis sexlineata Slender Glass Lizard: Ophisaurus attenuatus: Threatened Snakes.
The northern water snake can grow up to 135 cm (4 ft 5 in) in total length (including tail). There are 27 species of Snakes in Iowa. Snakes of Iowa. Northern Water Snake (GC6DDGV) was created by ptcline on 3/15/2016. INCYMI: This northern water snake may have had eyes bigger than its stomach when it found this bullhead for a snack! Description.
The pattern on adults may fade making it look solid black or brown. The belly is light colored with a combination of red and black markings that become darker near the tail. Description: 24 - 44 inches. Northern Water Snakes are gray to brown, with darker brown, reddish-brown, or black bands near the head that become blotches as you move down the body towards the tail. If it tries for a tail first swallow, the snake might not have success as bullhead catfish have a sharp spine on its dorsal fin that would more than like prevent the snake from swallowing it.