Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Date of this Version
9-6-2024
Document Type
Article
Citation
Transactions of the Nebraska Academy of Sciences 44 (2024), 13–15.
doi: 10.32873/unl.dc.tnas.44.3
Abstract
The Diamond-backed Watersnake (Nerodia rhombifer) is a fairly large-bodied (≤2100g), semi-aquatic snake associated with wetlands throughout the south-central United States. Distribution of this species closely aligns with river floodplains in parts of its distribution, including the Missouri River floodplain as far north as Holt County, Missouri. Herein, we report on the first record of the Diamond-backed Watersnake in Nebraska. On 21 May 2011, Daniel D. Fogell collected a juvenile Diamond-backed Watersnake in southeastern Richardson County representing the first occurrence of the species in the state, which is adjacent to Holt County, Missouri. In extreme southeastern Nebraska, the distribution of this species might be limited to the Big Nemaha River valley and the nearby flood plain of the Missouri River. Currently, it is unclear how far north this species occurs in southeastern Nebraska. Due to the likely restricted distribution in the state, we recommend adding this species to the Species of Greatest Conservation Need with a Tier 2 designation in Nebraska.
Comments
Copyright © 2024 Joseph W. Paysen, Daniel D. Fogell, and Keith Geluso