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Help with Identification

S

ShinBone_RidgeMan

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One of my neighbors found this baby and brought it to me to see what it was...but ive never seen a baby like this before...Im thinking it is a Racer ? or maby a brown banded water?

Any help identifying would be appreciated.

PICT0532.jpg


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According to the book "Amphibians and Reptiles of Georgia" this looks like a naturally occurring hybrid between the Banded Water Snake (Nerodia fasciata) and the Northern Water Snake (Nerodia sipedon).
 
I believe it is a northern water...the northern's start with a banding pattern and end up with blotches....
 
I dont believe it to be a brown because the brown is blotched from head to tail...that baby is clearly banded in the front 3rd of the body
 
I don't think it's a brown water snake either. Browns have more bulbous eyes and a more 'bulldog' look (combination of large, more dorsally located eyes and a proportionately shorter snout) than northerns or bandeds. My vote is for banded or an integrade northern x banded. It'll be easier to ID as it gets older. Neonate colubrids can be tough.
 
You are correct. The bands are that of a northern watersnake, but the colors seem off. I agree with the consensus. Probably is a hybrid. Interesting find!
 
Its just your standard Northern water snake, which differ a lot from region to region. You have your light phase and dark phase versions, along with some differences in pattern. But the stomach gives it away.
 
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