Nerodia fasciata
Key traits and size details for Banded Water Snake.
Length
Weight
Lifespan
The Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) is a sturdy, active water-associated colubrid with bold bands and a strong feeding response. It is often mistaken by the public for more dangerous snakes, but in captivity it is simply a robust, opinionated animal with a lot of presence. As a pet, it is not a standard beginner choice. Nerodia can be defensive, messy, and very food-driven, but they are fascinating for keepers who enjoy naturalistic setups and active behavior. Their appeal is raw, practical snake energy rather than polish.
Native and introduced range details for Banded Water Snake.
Explore the highlighted native and introduced range for this species. Hover or tap a country to inspect it on the map.
Banded water snakes are native to Southeastern United States, especially the Gulf and Atlantic coastal states and nearby inland wetlands.
No sourced temperature range yet.
No sourced humidity range yet.
Reference size-over-age data for Banded Water Snake.
Species reference size over age, built from curated catalog points rather than an individual reptile record.
This chart shows a species reference growth curve, not an individual reptile's recorded measurements.
This metric currently uses a general reference curve rather than sex-specific data. The curve spans 0 to 24 months, rising from 0.2 m to 0.6 m to 1.1 m.
Housing, feeding, and handling guidance collected in one place.
Set up Banded Water Snake with secure land hides plus a water area or large bowl that is easy to remove, clean, and refill before it fouls.
Use a sourced species-specific thermal gradient rather than a generic snake setup. Track humidity with a digital hygrometer and adjust only from sourced guidance. If UVB is used, match the stored Ferguson Zone 2 / UVI 0.7-1.0 target at the basking position.
Prey size should be 1.0-1.25x widest body part.
For Banded Water Snake, keep feeding tools and water sanitation tight: remove uneaten food promptly and refresh water after messy meals.
Expect Banded Water Snake to be quick and reactive; wash hands before and after handling, and watch skin condition because damp setups can hide problems.
Approved catalog and community photos for Banded Water Snake.
No approved gallery images are available for Banded Water Snake yet.
Browse approved catalog images and community-submitted reptile photos for Banded Water Snake. Community images retain contributor attribution in both the gallery and expanded view.
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