Photo Essay: Observations on the 2020 Occurrence and Mating Behavior of the Diamondback Water Snake (Nerodia rhombifer) at High Park, Derby, Kansas

Abstract

Diamondback Water Snakes (Nerodia rhombifer) were observed from late March through early October, 2020, around the fishing lake in High Park, west of Derby, Kansas (Sedgwick County). Assumed mating aggregations (piles) of several males around a larger female were observed in May and to a lesser extent in early August. As noted by other authors, when these snakes were on the shore, they were never more than 2 meters from the water, and usually right next to water. When disturbed, they immediately escape to the water. No aggressive behavior was observed.