Diamond-backed watersnake

Description:

A large, keel-scaled, heavy-bodied snake (30.0 to 48.0 inches in length) with light patterns on the back that somewhat resemble diamond shapes. These diamonds are created by dark brown chainlike markings extending over the body on a light brown or yellowish ground color. Belly is yellow with irregular rows of black “half-moons.” Males have small raised bumps (papillae) under the chin. Young are strongly patterned and have bright orange on their bellies.

Habitat:

One of the black bayous surrounding Reelfoot lake Tennessee.

Notes:

The first photos are of a mature specimen basking on a stick in one of the bayous. The third was a smaller slenderer snake & I'm not sure if it is the same species or not.