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Lake Erie Water Snake, Nerodia sipedon insularum is a species of colubrid snake which is closely related to other types of water snake. It is a nonvenomous species of snake which is active during the day. Much like other species of water snake the Lake Erie Water Snake is highly variable in colour and patterning, ranging from a pale grey to brownish and even sometimes black. This makes it so that colour and pattern cannot be good indicators of species and other method must be used for identification. These snake have a very limited range globally and are limited to a number of islands in the western end of Lake Erie. It is a subspecies of Northern Water Snake (''Nerodia sipedon''), which is a species that is far more widespread and abundant.

Range

  The Lake Erie Water Snake is native to the islands in the west 
end of Lake Erie and is a species that is shared between Canada and the United States.

Habitat

  The Lake Erie Water Snakes are commonly seen along the shorelines of the islands they inhabit. The limestone shores of the island offer excellent basking and foraging habitat. These rocks also may be a reason for the pale colour morph often seen in Lake Erie Water Snakes. It has been hypothesized that this colour morph is an adaptation to the pale grey limestones that can be found on many of the shorelines.

Diet

  The Lake Erie Water Snake feeds mostly on fish and amphibians. A point of interest of the snakes diet is that it is a predator to the invasive species of fish known as the Round Goby ''Neogobius melanostromus''.  

Defence Against Predators

  There are many species of animal that are willing to kill and eat Lake Erie Water Snakes. Animals such as raccoons, foxes, birds of prey and even house cats will hunt these snakes. Like most other water snakes these one are able to swim very well abl and hold their breath for extending periods of time. This means that by swimming into the shallows and hiding under some debris these snake are able to wait out most threats. They are also equipped with many small, and sharp, teeth which allow them to inflict a small bite if a predator gets to close. This possess little threat to people as the teeth are not designed to tear flesh, merely to hold on to prey items. Drastic first aid for a human after a water snake attack would be a band-aid at most.

Population status

  Within both Canada and the United states the Lake Erie Water Snake is consider a species at risk. This means that the species has either low or declining numbers left in the wild. In Canada they are listed as endangered, both nationally and provincially. They are also on the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, and as such protected by the Endangered Species Act. A leading cause of decline is related to human activity, mainly persecution and habitat destruction.      

External links

USA Fish and Wildlife Lake Erie Water Snake Page* [1] Royal Ontario Museum Lake Erie Water Snake Page* [2]