Copperbelly Water Snakes
and
Its Habitat
By:
Matt Tekulve
Simi-Aquatic
and Aquatic Snakes

Queen Snake
 Garter Snake
 Northern Brown Water Snake
 Cottonmouth
 Diamondback Water Snake

Midland Water Snake

Red, Yellow and Copperbelly Water Snake
Adult Identification
Copperbelly Water Snake
Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta
 Adult-
Solid dark to black dorsal surface
with a bright red to orange belly that
extends to the chin
 Length is between 3 to 5 feet Record 62 in
.
Juvenile Identification
 Juvenile’s
are strongly blotched and
banded similar to other juvenile water
snakes
Similar Species
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Many times the Copperbelly may be
misidentified for:
Northern Brown Water Snake
Cottonmouth
Midland Water Snake
Red and Yellowbelly water snake
Diet
Types of Habitats
 Wetlands
 Uplands
 Wintering
Wetlands
Types of Wetlands
Floodplain Forest
Shrub Swamp
Undulating Shore line
Shallow Open Water
Ephemeral Wetland
Upland Habitat
 Copperbelly
Water Snakes can travel
Hundreds of yards from wetlands mostly in
hot months
 Travel, Shedding, birthing, digestion,
refuge
Wintering Habitat
• Copperbelly Water Snakes
Hibernate in Crayfish Burrows
Late October to April
Movement
 Copperbelly
Water Snakes are Simi-
Aquatic
 Average seasonal Home Range is 20 ha
(50 acres)
 Use 3-5 wetlands regularly
Corridors
 Can
not be intimidating
 Riparian Buffer Strips
 Short Upland Forest
 Seasonal Wetlands
Distribution
 North
Range- Ohio (Williams Co.) and
Michigan (Hillsdale Co.)
 South Range- SE Illinois, S. Indiana,
W Tenn., NW Kentucky
Endangered Species List
 Listed
as an Endangered Species in
Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio
 Are Protected under Federal Law
 No killing of snakes Intentionally or
unintentionally
Cpperbelly Water Snake
Conservation Agreement
 Formed
in 1997 In Illinois and Kentucky
 Remove Threats to its existence
 Cooperation of Private and Public Parties
Cpperbelly Water Snake
Conservation Agreement
 To
do this the state of Kentucky had to:
 Describe the status of the Copperbelly
 Why Protection was needed
 Outline the Conservation Agreement
 Address the Accomplishments and
Weaknesses of the Conservation
Agreement
Natural Predators
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Large Fish
Snapping Turtles
Herons
Hawks
Foxes
Raccoons
Opossums
Minks
Skunks
Domestic Dogs, Cats and Hogs
Human as Predator:
Management Problems
 Loss
of Habitat and Fragmentation
 Wetland Drainage
 Wetland Filling
 Wetland Deepening
 Agriculture Purposes
 Surface mining
 Water Quality
 Pet Trade
Management and Conservation
Practices
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Shallow Ephemeral and Permanent Wetlands
Wetlands in close proximity
Natural Corridors
Stock native amphibian eggs No Fish!
Upland, Forested areas to be minimum Timber
Harvest
Restrict Vehicles and Heavy Equipment
Hibernation habitat
Edge from Cropland (Buffer Strips)
Edge

10-20 feet
 Bush hogging, mowing and other maintenance
should be done in the winter
 Minimize use of crop and lawn Fertilizers, oil,
paints, and other toxic chemicals
Ways to Help
 Learn
about endangered species and their
Habitat
 Protect the habitat
 Educate others
Save Me