Yellowbelly Water Snake
Nerodia erythrogaster flavigaster
A plain, dark-backed water snake subspecies with a pale yellow belly, common in bottomland wetlands of the Mississippi Valley and Gulf states.
- Venomous?
- Non-venomous
- Adult length
- 0.75-1.4 m (2.5-4.5 ft)
- Range
- South-central United States (Mississippi Valley region)
Found a snake like this?
Identify any snake from a photo, free.
Overview
The Yellowbelly Water Snake is a subspecies of the Redbelly Water Snake complex, found across the lower Mississippi Valley and adjacent Gulf Coast states. It shares the same heavy build and plain-backed appearance as its relatives, differing mainly in the pale yellow tone of its underside.
It is a harmless species that is nonetheless often killed out of mistaken fear that it is venomous, largely due to its size and defensive bluffing.
How to identify it
- Solid gray, olive, or brown back, unmarked in adults
- Pale yellow to cream-colored belly, sometimes with faint mottling
- Thick body with strongly keeled scales
- Round pupils and a head only moderately distinct from the neck
- Juveniles show dark crossbands that fade as they mature
Habitat & range
Inhabits swamps, oxbow lakes, sloughs, and slow rivers throughout the Mississippi Valley, Arkansas, Louisiana, and neighboring states, favoring heavily vegetated shorelines.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Diurnal forager that hunts fish and amphibians along shallow water edges and basks on overhanging vegetation. Bears live young in mid-to-late summer. Defends itself by flattening its body and striking repeatedly when disturbed, though it is not dangerous.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Yellowbelly Water Snake dangerous?
No, it is completely non-venomous and not dangerous to people.
Where is it commonly found?
In wetlands and slow-moving waters of the lower Mississippi Valley and Gulf Coast region.
How can I identify it?
Look for a plain dark back combined with a pale yellow belly and a thick, keeled-scaled body.
What does it eat?
Primarily fish and frogs caught in shallow water.
Yellowbelly Water Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Yellowbelly Water Snake.
