The Brazos Watersnake has been found at new locations on Lake Granbury, another example of the successful efforts to protect the nonvenomous, friendly residents of our basin.
The Brazos Water Snake is recognized as threatened by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department; therefore, it is protected by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Code and is just one of six species of interest for the Brazos River Authority that is considered threatened in the Brazos River Basin. The others include the Alligator Snapping Turtle, Bracted Twistflower, Brazos Heelsplitter, Jollyville Plateau Salamander, and the Salado Creek Salamander. Threatened species are plants or animals that are likely to become endangered in the near future.
Recent research needs updating for sections downstream of the lakes. The Brazos River Authority, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas State University, Texas Comptroller’s Office, and Bio-West are working together to study the snake, exchanging information between the different teams conducting research.
Recently, the Texas Comptroller’s Office shared that Brazos Watersnakes were found at Thorp Spring Park at Lake Granbury.
“They hadn’t found them there before,” said Justin Grimm, BRA’s environmental programs coordinator. “The snakes moving across the lake (from Hunter Park) is good because it means they are expanding their range. The more pockets of the snakes, the better it is for unforeseen consequences to their population.”
The expansion is due thanks to the snake-specific artificial habitats constructed and installed at Thorp Spring Park, Grimm said. Because of the success, officials recommend installing additional artificial habitats when the lake levels drop again to extend further into the lakebed.
Hunter Park has had its fair share of this fish-eating treasure, Grimm said. Coordination was made a few years back. While reinforcing riprap placed for erosion control, the BRA added materials in sizes that would provide the best habitat for the species. Grimm said the Brazos Watersnakes need smaller holes to hide in, so the material used made sure to meet that need.
You can help with research and protection efforts for the Nerodia harteri by reporting any sightings here.
“Please don’t kill it,” said Tiffany Malzahn, the BRA’s environmental and compliance manager. “Not all snakes are bad. They provide a very vital environmental function for us. The mentality, ‘The only good snake is a dead snake,’ is a dangerous and dumb one. Trust me, they don’t want to see you any more than you want to see them.”
A daytime hunter, this reclusive creature can usually be found around rocks and enjoys eating small fish and a variety of salamanders, frogs, and crayfish.
“Usually 2 to 2½ feet long, the Brazos water snake is light brown with four rows of olive-brown spots on its back. Brazos water snakes can be distinguished from cottonmouths by this pattern and a rounded head and pupils; the cottonmouth has a more triangular head and cat-like pupils. Brazos water snakes are also slenderer than the generally plump cottonmouth.” – Texas Parks and Wildlife Magazine. “When encountered or startled, Brazos water snakes almost always head straight into the water. (When in doubt, just give any water snake some distance, and it will leave you alone.).”