Pale Snaketail

Ophiogomphus severus

The Pale Snaketail is a unique dragonfly with a long, slender body and bright green eyes. It loves to fly around rivers and streams, making it a fun sight for nature lovers!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Pale Snaketail has a robust body with distinct widely-separated green eyes. Its thorax and abdomen are primarily pale yellowish-green, marked with dark brown or black stripes, giving it a somewhat muted appearance compared to brighter dragonflies.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumArthropodaClassInsectaOrderOdonataFamilyGomphidaeGenusOphiogomphus

Photo: JerryFriedmanCC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia CommonsView original ↗

Pale Snaketail

Interesting facts

Adult snaketails spend most of their short lives searching for food and mates near water.

Baby snaketails (nymphs) have a special lower lip that shoots out to grab prey!

Their amazing aquatic larvae can live hidden underwater for several years before transforming!

Unlike many dragonflies, snaketails perch flat on the ground, blending perfectly with rocks!

Special abilities

Pale Snaketail has huge compound eyes that let it spot tiny prey from far away while flying.

Pale Snaketail can dart and hover with powerful wings, allowing quick maneuvers to catch other flying insects.

Its nymphs breathe underwater using gills inside their rectum, letting them stay submerged and hidden.

Measurements & details

Wingspan: 60-90 mm
Size: 40-55 mm
Lifespan: 15-60 days
Flight Speed: 35 km/h
Leg Count: 6

Diet & Feeding

Tiny hunters, Pale Snaketails eat other insects, both as flying adults and aquatic nymphs.

Age differences: Nymphs hunt aquatic insects and larvae underwater; adults pursue flying insects in the air.

Primary Foods

mosquitoes
gnats
midges
smaller flies
mayfly nymphs
caddisfly larvae

Foraging Method

Pursuit

Ecological connections

Hunts

Yellow Fever Mosquito

Aedes aegypti

Adults catch mosquitoes in flight near water.

Eats

Green Drake Mayfly

Ephemera danica

Nymphs ambush mayfly larvae on the riverbed.

Eaten by

American Bullfrog

Rana catesbeiana

Bullfrogs prey on adult snaketails near the water's edge.

Eaten by

American Mink

Mustela vison

Mink hunt aquatic dragonfly nymphs in shallow streams.

Traits

Aerial

Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting.

Colorful

Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.

Insectivorous

This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

Diurnal

Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.

Freshwater

Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species.

Speedster

This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.

Pollinator

Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Insects

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Be careful not to disturb dragonflies when you see them near water.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to identify Pale Snaketail?

Compare wing shape and resting posture, where the eyes sit, body markings and the tail segments. Males and females can look very different in color. Dragonfly Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

What is Pale Snaketail's wingspan?

60-90 mm

How big is Pale Snaketail?

40-55 mm

How long does Pale Snaketail live?

15-60 days

How fast can Pale Snaketail fly?

35 km/h

What does Pale Snaketail eat?

Tiny hunters, Pale Snaketails eat other insects, both as flying adults and aquatic nymphs.

Where is Pale Snaketail usually found?

Wetlands