Copperbelly Water Snake
Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta
A regionally threatened subspecies of the Redbelly Water Snake, named for its vivid orange-red underside, restricted to isolated wetlands of the American Midwest.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.75-1.4 m (2.5-4.5 ft)
- Range
- Midwestern United States (Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan)
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Copperbelly Water Snake is a northern subspecies of Nerodia erythrogaster, distinguished mainly by its geographic range in the glaciated wetlands of the Midwest. It has become a species of conservation concern due to loss and fragmentation of the seasonal wetland habitats it depends on.
Like its relatives, it is entirely harmless to humans, and its dramatic defensive bluffing is often mistaken for aggression from a dangerous snake.
How to identify it
- Solid dark brown to black back with no obvious blotching in adults
- Bright coppery-orange to red belly
- Heavy body with keeled scales
- Round pupils and a narrow, non-triangular head shape
- Juveniles are more strongly patterned with dark blotches that fade with maturity
Habitat & range
Prefers shrub swamps, buttonbush wetlands, and seasonally flooded forest ponds in a limited range across southern Michigan, northern Indiana, Ohio, and adjacent Kentucky. Moves between wetlands and uplands seasonally.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Active by day, foraging in shallow water for fish and amphibians. Retreats to upland forest during dry seasons or drought. Gives birth to live young. Highly defensive when cornered, flattening the body and striking, though bites are harmless.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Copperbelly Water Snake venomous?
No, it is non-venomous and poses no medical threat.
Why is it considered threatened?
Its wetland habitat has been extensively drained and fragmented, isolating populations across the Midwest.
How is it different from the Redbelly Water Snake?
It is a subspecies restricted to a smaller northern range, with the same basic appearance as the more widespread Redbelly Water Snake.
What does it eat?
Fish and amphibians, hunted in shallow wetland waters.
Copperbelly Water Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Copperbelly Water Snake.
