Midland water snake

Description:

In the southern third of Missouri, the northern water snake intergrades with, or is replaced by, the midland water snake subspecies. The midland water snake typically has brown and reddish-brown crossbands and blotches.

Habitat:

Midland water snakes live primarily in and near the clear, cool, gravel-bed creeks and rivers typical of the southern Missouri Ozarks, which is exactly the type of habitat where this one was photographed.