Species:

Nerodia fasciata

Southern Watersnake

Subspecies I've seen:
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Florida Watersnake
N. f. pictiventris
Subspecies:

Nerodia fasciata pictiventris

Florida Watersnake

March 20, 2004
Turner River Canoe Trail, Big Cypress National Preserve, Collier County, Florida
Florida Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Florida Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
My first two Florida Watersnakes were this pair, basking in branches a foot or two above an eddy in Turner River. My wife and I were in our inflatable kayak, and the snakes were good sports to stay put while we tried to maneuver the kayak near enough and steady enough for halfway decent handheld shots.
April 11, 2004
Corkscrew Swamp Wildlife Sanctuary, Collier County, Florida
Florida Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Florida Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Florida Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata pictiventris)
Florida Watersnakes are plentiful at Corkscrew Swamp; I saw five on this day. The very young ones have prominent banding, as in the first photo here. When they get older the markings fade and the adults often appear nearly patternless.