Lake Erie Water Snakes

 

     If you've spent any time on or around the western shores of Lake Erie you may have seen a Lake Erie water snake. The things can grow to 18 to 42 inches long. 

     The Lake Erie water snake is found only on 15 islands in the Western end of Lake Erie and the Marblehead Peninsula of Ottawa County, which stretches from Toledo to Sandusky, Ohio. 

     In Canadian waters, a subspecies is found on East Sister Island, Pelee Island, Middle Island, and Hen Island. In Ohio waters, it is found on 11 islands, including Kelley's Island and South Bass Island. 

     Its distribution range is less than 25 miles in diameter, making it one of the smallest distribution ranges of any snake in North America. 

     They eat mainly fish, including dead or dying ones, but they reportedly avoid frogs, although they may eat some. They are a key predator in the lake's aquatic ecosystem since they feed on mudpuppies, walleye, and smallmouth bass. 

     The LEWS interbreeds with the Northern water snake producing what are called intergrades, individuals that show characteristics of both snakes. 

     The snake likes basking in the sun on surfaces near the water's edge. Sometimes they hide under rocks. They are accomplished swimmers and when fleeing pursuit they often swim at the surface, but sometimes dive to the bottom and hide under rocks. These snakes also are nasty biters and will defend themselves vigorously both on land and under water. 

     They mate from late May through early June and can be found in large mating balls with one female bunched with several males. 

     The snake varies in its appearance, but its dorsal brown bands are less prominent, giving it a more uniformly gray appearance. This allows the snake to use gray stones as camouflage. Some specimens lack brown bands and appear uniformly gray, while others are gray with faint brown bands and blotches on the dorsal side. The ventral side is generally white or yellowish-white. 

     It spends time on both land and in water. On land, it is typically found near shorelines containing rocks, wood, and vegetation, usually staying within 600 feet or so of the shoreline during the summer. These areas allow the snake to bask, mate, shelter, and give birth. A subspecies can also be found in sandy areas or land without vegetation to a lesser extent. In water, it usually stays within 40 feet or so of the shoreline. 

     They hibernate during the winter, often traveling further inland than during the summer. They hibernate in rock piles, building foundations and drainage tiles. It hibernates both alone and with other species of snake. 

     When European settlers first arrived at the Western Lake Erie islands, the Lake Erie water snake was so ubiquitous they nicknamed them the Serpent Islands. Tourists and islanders began intentionally killing them in the 1950s, incorrectly thinking they were venomous. Increased residential development also contributed to their decline. In 2011, it was removed from the federal Threatened and Endangered Species list.