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Red Bellied Water snake
(Nerodia erythrogaster)
Description: The Red Bellied
water snake grows to 30-48
in (76-122 cm) long. The
coloring is typically a dark
brown, light brown, or grey
with a bright orange to
yellowish underside. When
young they are branded, but
are still identifiable by an
unpatterned belly.
)
(back)
Description
The Red Bellied water snake grows to 30-48 in (76-122 cm) long. The
coloring is typically a dark brown, light brown, or grey with a bright
orange to yellowish underside. When young they are branded, but
are still identifiable by an unpatterned belly
Habitat
Typically are found near water such as lakes, creeks, rivers, wetlands,
and swamps. They are found in coastal areas and occasionally in the
piedmont region. Also found near temporary wetlands.
Reproduction
The species typically mates between May and June. It gives birth to
somewhere between 10 and 50 live young.
Predation
The Red Bellied Watersnake is susceptible to a variety of predators
until it reaches its larger size. The predators include but are not
limited to raccoons, turtles, large fish, and kingsnakes
Diet
This snake typically consumes amphibians, but will also consume fish.
Citations
1. Red belly water snake. (n.d.). North carolina snake pictures. Retrieved
from http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/gaston/Pests/reptiles/pages/rbwater.htm
2. Rogers, E., & Wilson, J. D. (n.d.). Snakes of georgia and south
carolina. In Univesity of georgia. Retrieved from
http://www.uga.edu/srelherp/snakes/nerery.htm
3. Linzey, D. W., & Clifford, M. J. (n.d.). Red-belly Water Snake. In
Snakes of Virginia. (Original work published 1981). Retrieved from
http://books.google.com/books?id=6VHGWeaCAC&pg=PA44&lpg=PA44&dq=red+bellied+watersnake+predators&source=bl&ot
s=hIPCffE4aA&sig=FeQz9uilyQUWMyM1S6DrBCsuzWg&hl=en&ei=lH_gSmoOY_S8QTnlu
DECQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CBAQ6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q
&f=false