alabama rivers – AWWareness

by: Rachel McGuire

Alabama is home to 49 species of snakes, 12 of which are considered aquatic. Snakes are legless, carnivorous reptiles covered in overlapping scales. While most snakes lay eggs, the aquatic snakes of Alabama are viviparous, meaning they give birth to live young. Snakes also shed their outer layer of skin periodically as they grow. Sometimes you can find the snake shed off a trail, near a creek, or simply on the forest floor.

Snakes may instill fear in many people; however, it is important to remember they are important members of our native wildlife community and serve a function to our precious ecosystems. When encountering a wild snake, be sure to give space, respect, and appreciation.

Alabama Water Watch will be celebrating native aquatic critters each month throughout the year of 2023! From the vastly underrated freshwater snails to the popular and stately sea turtles, we will take you on a journey through the various aquatic amphibians, fishes, insects, mammals, mollusks, and reptiles, that call Alabama home.

HERE’S THE SCHEDULE:

January – Caddisflies and EPT Friends

February – Darters

March – Aquatic Amphibians

April – Freshwater Turtles

May – Snakes & Gators

June – Freshwater Sportfish

July – Marine Sportfish

August – Freshwater Mussels

September – Saltwater Turtles

October – Freshwater Snails

November – Crayfish