What snakes swim in water in Tennessee?

There are 9 species of aquatic or semi-aquatic snakes living in Tennessee: Mississippi Green Water Snakes, Plain-bellied Water Snakes, Southern Water Snakes, Diamond-backed Water Snakes, Northern Water Snakes, Western Ribbonsnakes, Eastern Ribbonsnakes, Common Garter Snakes, and Cottonmouths.

What do water snakes look like in Tennessee?

Most individuals are dark gray to black with a broad head, heat-sensing pits between the eyes and nostrils, elliptical pupils, and a blunt snout. Some individuals have a brown, gray, tan, or blackish coloration. Also commonly called Water Moccasins, Black Moccasins, or Gapers.

What do water moccasins look like in Tennessee?

Western Cottonmouths are dark olive-brown to almost black with dark crossbands that may not be visible. The top of the head is dark brown or black and a dark, wide band may be visible from the snout through the eye and onto the neck. A white upper lip may be noticeable as well.

Are there water moccasins in the Tennessee River?

East Tennessee has two of those species native to the area: The copperhead and the timber rattlesnake. Quite a few would also say they’ve spotted the cottonmouth (also known as the water moccasin) swimming in the rivers and lakes of East Tennessee, however, cottonmouths are only found on the western end of the state.

Do water snakes swim on top of the water?

Greene told Reuters that non-venomous water snakes “generally swim and float at the surface with only their head (maybe also neck) above the water,” with the rest of their bodies at least at a slight angle below the surface.

How do water moccasins look?

They have thick, muscular bodies covered in keeled, or ridged, scales and blocky heads with large jowls. Their pupils are vertical, similar to cat pupils, and they have dark stripes next to each nostril. Their coloration varies from dark brown or black to olive, banded brown or yellow.

What color is a water moccasin?

The cottonmouth, or water moccasin, is a dark-colored, heavy-bodied snake that can grow to an average of 2-4 feet in length. Juvenile cottonmouths are a brown or tan color with darker, reddish brown crossbands containing many speckles down the back. Juveniles also have bright yellow tail tips.