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 11/11/2009)
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 11/11/2009)
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 11/11/2009)
Water Snakes on Flickr
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Water Snakes on Zazzle
To see more designs, please visit our Naturally Native Creations Gallery
Yellow-bellied Tries to Eat Toad YouTube vid
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Yellow-bellied Watersnake in its Natural Habitat.
Water Snakes on eBay
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Please, Scratch Out a Line
Bibleanswers wrote...
This is a beautifully presented lens with lots of great information! Thanks for sharing! 5*
Posted February 21, 2009
nightbear wrote...
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.
Posted February 16, 2009
stargazer00 wrote...
A pretty lens with great photos! Not fond of snakes but you have presented this one well.
Posted February 14, 2009
naturegirl7 wrote...
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.
Posted February 14, 2009
Treasures-By-Brenda wrote...
Well done page, I'm wondering what started your interest in snakes!
Brenda
Posted February 14, 2009
Yellow-bellied Water Snake Blog Posts
- Yellow-bellied Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
- GregTheBusker posted a photo: Yellow-bellied Water Snake, Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster.
- 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
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- Great Expectations: November in the Piedmont
- Woodpeckers make their home in the Piedmont year-round, with one exception, the yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius). These active birds can be recognized by their black and white back and wings, red forehead and yellow breast; ...
Links to Water Snakes
Water Snakes
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Nerodia sipedon | Illinois Natural History Survey | U of I
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Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
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Georgia Outdoors: Wild Fact: Water Snake
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Southern Water Snakes Page
Jun 16, 2008 ... Southern Water Snake images & more...0 points
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