Nerodia erythrogaster (Forster) includes Yellow-bellied and Blotched Water Snakes
Plain-bellied Water snakes are found in every southeastern state in the U.S. They are stout snakes with dark brown, gray or greenish gray backs and bellies that range in color from yellow to red. In Louisiana, the Yellow-bellied and blotched water snakes occur. Even though these snakes are comfortable in water, they are often found on land, quite a distance away from a body of water. The Plain-bellied Water Snake is another of the many non-venomous, beneficial snakes that live in the south.
There are 2 types of Plain-bellied Water Snakes in Louisiana.
Yellow-bellied Water Snake is the Most Common Plain-bellied
A relatively heavy bodied, moderately long (up to 62 inches) with a pattern of alternating dorsal and lateral dark blotches readily visible, partially obscured or totally lacking on a gray or dark brown background (the pattern always visible in juveniles); belly some shade of yellow to red with relatively few dark markings. Baby Plain-bellied water snakes have banding patterns that resemble those of banded watersnakes, but have unmarked bellies and bands that are incomplete in the neck region. Plain-bellied water snakes are non-poisonous snakes.
Louisiana Water Snakes
Two sub-species are found in Louisiana.
Yellow-bellied Water Snake (N. e. erythrogaster) - Its adult dorsal pattern is visible only as narrow mid dorsal bars, if visible at all. The Yellow-bellied water snake occurs all over Louisiana.
Blotched Water Snake (N. e. transversa) - The adults retain the blotched pattern found in all juveniles. The blotched water snake occurs only in the Prairie.
Water snakes
a. Diamond-backed water snake, Nerodia rhombifers
b. Western green water snake, Nerodia cyclopion
c. Yellow-bellied water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
d. Blotched water snake, Nerodia erythrogaster transversa
e. Dark phase of the southern water snake, Nerodia fasciata
f. Light phase of the southern water snake, Nerodia fasciata
g. Northern water snake, Nerodia sipedon
h. Salt march snake, Nerodia clarkia
Photo Reference: Harold A. Dundee and Douglas A. Rossman, The Amphibians and Reptiles of Louisiana
Snakes of the Southeast
Snakes of the Southeast is a "must have" book for anyone who is interested in snakes. The information is up to date and very thorough and the many full color photographs just seem to jump off of the page. It is an excellent, all-round book.
Snakes Of The Southeast (Wormsloe Foundation Nature Book)
Amazon Price: $16.47 (as of 12/16/2009)
Plain-bellied Water Snakes according to Wiki
The Plain-bellied Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) is a common species of mostly aquatic, non-venomous, colubrid snake found in the United States.
Habits, Habitat and Reproduction
Nerodia erythrogaster is found in the ponds, sloughs, bayou, streams, rivers, lakes and swamps in the hill country of Louisiana and also in the drainage ditches and flooded rice fields of the lowlands. During the summer months, it is known to wander quite a distance from water than any other Nerodia species and they rarely bask. They are frequently one of the earliest water snakes to be seen in the spring and they spend more time on land that most other water snakes.
Yellow-bellied water snakes feed on small fish, crawfish and leopard frogs, which they capture and eat alive without constricting.
Plain-bellied water snakes mate from April until mid June. Females give birth to from 2-55 (18 is normal) live young during August or September.
Predators of Plain-bellied Water Snakes include largemouth bass, kingsnakes, cottonmouths, egrets, red-shouldered hawks and red-tailed hawks.
Reference: Whit Gibbons and Mike Dorcas: Snakes of the Southeast
Water Snakes of North America
Water Snakes of North America
Amazon Price: (as of 12/16/2009)
Interactions with Yellow-bellied Water Snakes
We have had several encounters with large Yellow-bellied water snakes in our habitat in Southeastern Louisiana and most of them occurred on land, near our house. For two years in a row we found a pair of Yellow-bellied water snakes on our front porch and patio where we have a small water feature in an old iron wash kettle. It was quite a surprise to see the large snakes and at one point they decided that the patio drain pipe would make a nice den. My husband was able to catch them and release them down at the river so that they wouldn't eat the fish and frogs in the bass pond near the house.
Garter and Water Snakes
Garter Snakes and Water Snakes (Herpetocultural Library, The)
Amazon Price: $8.95 (as of 12/16/2009)
Water Snakes on Flickr
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Water Snakes on Zazzle
To see more designs, please visit our Naturally Native Creations Gallery
Snakes 2010 Wall CalendarPrice: 13.99
Snakes Wall Calendar: The serpent is a reoccurring figure in religious myths and legends. Snakes are handled as both a gesture of faith in the power of gods as well as an act of defiance to that same power. The snakes in this wall calendar show the variety and beauty of this amazing reptile.
Yellow-bellied Tries to Eat Toad YouTube vid
Water Snakes on Amazon
A Water Snake's Year by Doris Gove
Presents a year in the life of a female water snak more...0 points
Coiled Snake Earrings
Sterling silver with stud back. Please allow 5 bus more...0 points
Wigglin' Water Snake
It's time for summer fun and giggles with the exci more...0 points
Smooth Coiled Snake with Amethyst Earrings
Sterling silver with stud back. Please allow 5 bus more...0 points
Yellow-bellied Watersnake in its Natural Habitat.
Water Snakes on eBay
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Kingsnakes of Louisiana
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Diamond-back Water Snake
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The Diamond-back (or backed) Water Snake is a long, heavy-bodied, tan to gray-brown snake with a pattern of dark brown to black chain-like markings. The belly is yellow, but with dusky brown markings. As the name implies it lives in slow moving water...
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Black Racer Snake
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Black Racers are very fast black snakes with a bluish cast to their scales. Other names for this handsome, non-venomous snake are Blue Racer, Blue Runner and Black Runner. The Southern Black Racer occurs in habitats all over Louisiana and through mo...
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Snakes are probably one of the most controversial animals. You either love them or hate them. Snakes are a very important link in the food chain and without them our earth would be overrun with vermin and harmful insects. Here in Louisiana there are...
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Rat Snakes in Louisiana
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Ribbon and Garter Snakes
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Garter and Ribbon snakes are beneficial, non-poisonous snakes. Garter Snakes are welcomed into gardens because they eat small rodents, snails, slugs and harmful insects among other things. There are several different species that inhabit Louisiana. M...
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Broad-banded Watersnake of Louisiana
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The Broad-banded is the only species of Banded Water snake that lives in Louisiana. They are found in bodies of water all over Louisiana and the Southeastern United States. Unfortunately, these stout non-poisonous water snakes with colorful bellies,...
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Hognose Snake in Louisiana
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The Eastern Hognose Snake is a most unusual reptile with some very unique defense mechanisms, including puffing up like a cobra and playing dead. Although it is considered non-poisonous, in that it does not have fangs, it's saliva sometimes causes a...
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Ring-necked Snake of Louisiana
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The Ring-necked Snake is a small, harmless snake that lives in forested areas all over the Southeastern United States. It spends most of the daylight hours hiding under logs, but is active at night during the warm months of the year. Ring-necked Sna...
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Cottonmouth Moccasin Snake
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The Cottonmouth (which used to be called Cottonmouth Moccasin or Water Moccasin) is a venomous semi-aquatic snake. It is one of the five species of pit viper that inhabits Louisiana. It is also the only semi-aquatic viper in the world. The name, Cott...
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Rough Green Snake
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The Rough Green Snake is the only type of Green Snake that inhabits Louisiana. It is a slim, medium sized, non-poisonous snake, which is bright green in color. Rough Green snakes are egg layers and are excellent climbers.
Please, Scratch Out a Line
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Reply
- Bibleanswers Bibleanswers Feb 21, 2009 @ 4:49 pm
- This is a beautifully presented lens with lots of great information! Thanks for sharing! 5*
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Reply
- nightbear nightbear Feb 16, 2009 @ 9:46 pm
- Don't really mind snakes myself, Just give them the respect they deserve. A lot of poisonous snakes where I am from, down in the Ozarks in Missouri.
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- stargazer00 stargazer00 Feb 14, 2009 @ 12:50 pm
- A pretty lens with great photos! Not fond of snakes but you have presented this one well.
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Reply
- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Feb 14, 2009 @ 8:42 am | in reply to Treasures-By-Brenda
- It's all my husband's fault. He has been in love with snakes since he was a kid and would play in Audubon Park in New Orleans. He converted me, so now we both appreciate the beauty and wonder of reptiles.
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Reply
- Treasures-By-Brenda Treasures-By-Brenda Feb 14, 2009 @ 6:56 am
- Well done page, I'm wondering what started your interest in snakes!
Brenda
Yellow-bellied Water Snake Blog Posts
- Yellow-bellied Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
- GregTheBusker posted a photo: Yellow-bellied Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster.
- Onexposure - 1x.com - Photo: Red-shouldered Hawk hunting Yellow ...
- Onexposure - 1x.com - Photo: Red-shouldered Hawk hunting Yellow-bellied. Red-shouldered Hawk hunting Yellow-bellied Water Snake . Reviewed by G991956 Sep 06, 07:11pm ( 3 reviews ) ? 1x.com · 7413 views. People who like this ...
- red-shouldered hawk hunting yellow-bellied water snake
- mark bartosik took this great shot during a deadly struggle between a snake and a hawk. in case you wondered the snake lost. photographer: mark b. bartosik location: central rio brazos valley, texas equipment used: canon 20d, 500mm f4, ...
- yellow-bellied water snakes
- plain-bellied water snakes are found in every southeastern state in the us they are stout snakes with dark brown, gray or greenish gray backs and bellies that range in color from yellow to red. in louisiana, the yellow-bellied and ...
Links to Water Snakes
Water Snakes
It will eat birds, small mammals and the harmless more...0 points
Nerodia sipedon | Illinois Natural History Survey | U of I
Nov 11, 2008 ... Natural History: Like most other more...0 points
Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Water snakes tend to have a vicious temperament an more...0 points
Georgia Outdoors: Wild Fact: Water Snake
Oct 23, 2008 ... Actually, most water snakes in Ge more...0 points
Southern Water Snakes Page
Jun 16, 2008 ... Southern Water Snake images & more...0 points
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Lensmaster naturegirl7 has been a member since April 22 2008, has rated 502 lenses, favorited 448, and has created 148 lenses from scratch. This member's top-ranked page is "7-up Cake Recipes". See all my lenses
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