Photo of the Month

A peek into the activities and behaviors of indigenous reptiles and amphibians.

January 2012

This month's photo from Kory Steele is of a Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon) consuming a fish. The photo was taken in North Carolina, where both the Common Watersnake (N. s. sipedon) and the Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) are found. In some cases sipedon and fasciata can have similar dorsal coloration and pattern, fortunately they differ in head structure.


*Common Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon sipedon)*	*Banded Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata)*
Wide head Smaller eyes canthus rostralis or the angle between the flat crown of the head and the side of the head between the eye and the snout is less acutely angled.	Narrow head Larger eyes canthus rostralis or the angle between the flat crown of the head and the side of the head between the eye and the snout is more acutely angled.

The above graphic is derived from illustrations by Isabelle Hunt Conant.

If you would like to submit your image of a native Virginia reptile or amphibian email it to: