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This site was created by students in the herpetology class at Towson University. Site last updated: 05/21/07.
Acknowledgements: Herb Harris - Range Maps; Mark Tegges - Photography; Dan Lapascha & Gigi Forester - TU Herpetology Logo
Red-bellied water snake
(Nerodia erythrogaster)
Description
The red-bellied water snake is large aquatic snake, with adults ranging in length from 30 to 48 inches. The dorsal surface is typically dark brown or black, and the ventral surface is bright red, orange, or yellow. Scales are keeled, the anal plate is divided, and there are 23 dorsal scale rows at mid-body. Juveniles are grayish brown with dark crossbands and pink or yellow bellies.
Habitat
Red-bellied water snakes are usually found in backwater sloughs, lowland lakes and ponds, swamps, and other aquatic sites with abundant vegetation. They are occasionally found in on the ground in terrestrial habitats near water. A diurnal species, red-bellied water snakes feed mostly on fish and amphibians.
Breeding
This species is ovoviviparous, mating in May or June and giving birth to 10 to 50 live young in July or August. Newborns are 7 to 11 inches long.
Distribution in Maryland
Range map adapted from Harris, 1975.
Links
http://www.inhs.uiuc.edu/cbd/herpdist/species/ne_erythro.html
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/natsci/herpetology/fl-guide/Nerodiaeerythrogaster.htm