Description
Diamondback water snakes are predominantly brown, dark brown, or dark olive green in color, with a black net-like pattern along the back, with each spot being vaguely diamond-shaped. Dark vertical bars and lighter coloring are often present down the sides of the snake. The underside is generally a yellow or lighter brown color often with black blotching.
Their dorsal scales are heavily keeled, giving the snake a rough texture. The dorsal scales are arranged in 25 or 27 rows at midbody. There are usually 3 postoculars.
Adult males have multiple papillae (tubercles) on the under surface of the chin, which are not found on any other species of snake in the United States
They can grow to a total length of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and in southern states have reached 2.5 m (8.2 ft) or more in total length.
Neonates are often lighter in color, making their patterns more pronounced, and they darken with age.
Read more about this topic: Nerodia Rhombifer
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