Plain-bellied watersnake
Nerodia erythrogaster
Nerodia erythrogaster
NON-VENOMOUS
Description:
There are two forms of plain-bellied watersnakes in Oklahoma:
The blotched water snake has dark blotches that run down the center of its back, with alternating spots down each side.
Young yellow-bellied watersnakes have a pattern similar to the blotched water snakes. Adults have no pattern or one that's very faint underneath the dark dorsal coloration.
The belly of both forms is yellow and there are dark markings on the outer edges of each belly scale. The scales are heavily keeled, and the anal plate is divided.
Size:
Adults 30 - 48 inches (76 - 122 cm)
Prey:
Fish, frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders
Reproduction:
Mates April to June. Females give birth to 5 - 25 babies in late summer and they are 7 - 12 inches (10 - 13 cm) long.
Habitat:
Ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, wetland areas, and virtually any permanent body of water
Other Information:
Often confused with the venomous cottonmouth, this harmless snake is commonly seen basking on logs and rocks near water. When threatened it may emit a foul-smelling musk or even attempt to bite. When in the water, this snake will swim with the lower half of its body underwater and the upper half above the surface. (The cottonmouth typically swims with its entire body on the surface of the water)
Why doesn't the range map show this species in my county?
Description:
There are two forms of plain-bellied watersnakes in Oklahoma:
- Blotched water snake (shown in all photos above)
The blotched water snake has dark blotches that run down the center of its back, with alternating spots down each side.
- Yellow-bellied watersnake
Young yellow-bellied watersnakes have a pattern similar to the blotched water snakes. Adults have no pattern or one that's very faint underneath the dark dorsal coloration.
The belly of both forms is yellow and there are dark markings on the outer edges of each belly scale. The scales are heavily keeled, and the anal plate is divided.
Size:
Adults 30 - 48 inches (76 - 122 cm)
Prey:
Fish, frogs, tadpoles, and salamanders
Reproduction:
Mates April to June. Females give birth to 5 - 25 babies in late summer and they are 7 - 12 inches (10 - 13 cm) long.
Habitat:
Ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, wetland areas, and virtually any permanent body of water
Other Information:
Often confused with the venomous cottonmouth, this harmless snake is commonly seen basking on logs and rocks near water. When threatened it may emit a foul-smelling musk or even attempt to bite. When in the water, this snake will swim with the lower half of its body underwater and the upper half above the surface. (The cottonmouth typically swims with its entire body on the surface of the water)
Why doesn't the range map show this species in my county?
