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Plain-bellied Watersnake

Plain-bellied Watersnake

Nerodia erythrogaster

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Forest, Grassland, Wetland
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)

A large, thick-bodied, mostly patternless snake. The Plain-bellied watersnake is semi-aquatic and nonvenomous. They are typically solid-colored with variations of black, gray, olive-gray, brown, and pink. They generally have a beige underside with no notable markings.

Diet

Carnivores feeding on tadpoles, amphibians, fish, crustaceans and aquatic insects

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Reptilia
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Order: Squamata
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Family: Colubridae
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Genus: Nerodia
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Species: Nerodia erythrogaster

Scientific Name

Nerodia erythrogaster
Breeding Season
May-June

Behavior

Plain-bellied water snakes are semi-aquatic snakes that are active during the day. They are mostly solitary, and their most active period is March to early November. They travel through upland areas seeking prey near ephemeral wetlands, permanent wetlands, and rivers. Hibernation primarily occurs in animal burrows, stream banks, rock piles, or abandoned crayfish burrows.

Ecological Role

Plain-bellied water snakes are prey items for many kinds of birds, mammals, turtles, snakes, and fish. They are predators that feed on frogs and toads, insects, and fish, thus helping to keep prey populations in balance.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Forest
Grassland
Wetland

Geographic Distribution

Plain-bellied water snakes are found in every southeastern state of the U.S., except for the higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains. On the east coast, they are found across Florida, north to southeastern Virginia, as well as western Tennessee. They are found at lower elevations from Georgia and west across the Gulf States, extending as far west as Oklahoma and Texas.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

Threats & Impacts

The plain-bellied water snake is considered a conservation risk because of loss of wetlands and other anthropogenic factors. 35% of wetlands worldwide have been lost from 1970 to 2015. This species is often struck by vehicles while it crosses highways traveling from one water source to another. They are commonly mistaken for cottonmouths and are consequently killed by people averse to snakes.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
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