Nerodia floridana, commonly known as the Florida green watersnake, or eastern green watersnake, is a harmless North American species of water snakes in the family Colubridae.
N. floridana is the largest watersnake in North America. Fully grown it will typically reach 76–140 cm (30–55 in) in total length (including tail), with the record-sized specimen having measured 188 cm (74 in) in total length.[3] Its coloration is solid grey or greenish-brownish with a white or yellow belly in adults, which darkens in color under the tail. Encircling the lower half of the eye is a row of scales, which is separate from the upper lip scales. Among all southeastern (U.S.) snakes, only the western green water snake has these features.[4] Juveniles have typically, about 50 dark crossbars down the dorsum and on the sides, which fade gradually with age.[5]
N. floridana 's distribution is generally throughout Florida and in parts of southern Georgia. It is commonly found in southern South Carolina in open, marshy wetland areas. The snake is rarely found in rivers or streams.[4] N. floridana prefers choked vegetation and calm waters such as swamps and marshes. It is also generally found in lakes, ponds, ditches, and occasionally in brackish water.[6]
In southern Florida, N. floridana is active year round. Like other water snakes of the southeastern U.S., N. floridana hibernates during the winter in the northern, coldest parts of its range. In colder areas and months, the snake can be seen basking outdoors on sunny days. In southern Florida, it often travels overland on rainy days.[4]
Little is known about the diet of the N. floridana. Most reports suggest that their diet consists primarily of fish, including sunfish, crappies, and small bass. They also feed on frogs, especially pig frogs, tadpoles and salamander. Little is known about their methods for finding prey, but like other water snakes, the N. floridana swallows its prey alive.[4][6]
This species bears live young (ovoviviparous) similar to other North American water snakes. A few observations have been made of matings in late winter or early spring. Females generally have very large litters and give birth in the summer. The size of the litter ranges from 20 to 40, and the young are typically born from June to September.[6] The record litter for the species was 132 babies, taken from a dead female.[4]
Because of the huge litters of the N. floridana, most juveniles never reach adulthood. Common predators in its wetland habitat include river otters, hawks, herons, egrets, ospreys, turtles, kingsnakes, alligators, and several varieties of predatory fish. The snake's first impulse when threatened is to escape, and will then resort to biting or releasing a strong musk from its scent glands, if captured.[4]
The species is abundant in many wetland areas, except for the northern areas of its range. Thousands of N. floridana's die annually on Florida roads and highways near wetland habitats.[4] In Georgia and South Carolina N. floridana is considered "state imperiled".[6]
Nerodia floridana, commonly known as the Florida green watersnake, or eastern green watersnake, is a harmless North American species of water snakes in the family Colubridae.
Nerodia floridana Nerodia generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Natricidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Nerodia floridana Nerodia generoko animalia da. Narrastien barruko Natricidae familian sailkatuta dago.
Nerodia floridana est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Natricidae[1].
Cette espèce est endémique des États-Unis. Elle se rencontre dans le sud de la Caroline du Sud, en Floride, dans le Sud de l'Alabama et en Géorgie[2].
L'holotype de Nerodia floridana[3] mesure 1 054 mm dont 239 mm pour la queue. Cette espèce a le dos brun verdâtre avec des motifs noirâtres. Sa face ventrale est blanchâtre tacheté de brun ou de gris.
Son nom d'espèce lui a été donné en référence au lieu de sa découverte, la Floride[3].
Nerodia floridana est une espèce de serpents de la famille des Natricidae.
Nerodia floridana là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Goff mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1936.[1]
Bài viết liên quan họ Rắn nước này vẫn còn sơ khai. Bạn có thể giúp Wikipedia bằng cách mở rộng nội dung để bài được hoàn chỉnh hơn. Nerodia floridana là một loài rắn trong họ Rắn nước. Loài này được Goff mô tả khoa học đầu tiên năm 1936.
