Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta
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| Copperbelly Water Snake | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta |
The Copperbelly Water Snake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) is listed as a threatened species.
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[edit] Appearance
Copperbelly water snakes have a solid dark (usually black) back with a bright orange-red belly. They grow to 3 to 5 feet in length. They are not poisonous.
[edit] Habitat
They live in lowland swamps or other warm, quiet waters. Upland woods are used as winter hibernation sites.
[edit] Reproduction
Young snakes are born in the fall near or in the winter hibernation site. The average litter size is 18 young.
[edit] Feeding Habits
The snakes feed on frogs, tadpoles, crayfish, and small fish.
[edit] Range
The population of Copperbelly water snakes that live in southern Michigan, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio has been listed as threatened. Another population of these snakes live in southwestern Indiana and adjacent Illinois and Kentucky, and southeastern Indiana. That population is not listed as threatened, but is protected by conservation agreements with State Departments of Natural Resources, various other State agencies, and coal companies.
[edit] Reasons that lead to being threatened
[edit] Habitat Loss or Degradation
These snakes have declined mainly because of the drainage and filling of their lowland swamp habitat and clearing of adjacent upland woods where they spend the winter (hibernation sites).
[edit] Collection
Copperbelly Water Snakes are collected fairly regularly because of their rarity, large size, unique color, and value in the pet trade. Under the Endangered Species Act, collection is illegal without a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
[edit] Predation
During migration, they are vulnerable to predation, especially when their migration routes are interrupted by cleared areas such as roads, mowed areas, and farmlands.
[edit] Efforts to prevent extinction
[edit] Listing
The copperbelly water snake was added to the U.S. List of Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants on February 28, 1996. The population that was listed as threatened occurs in southern Michigan, northeastern Indiana, and northwestern Ohio. The population that occurs in southern Illinois, southern Indiana, and western Kentucky was not listed but has been protected by conservation agreements.
[edit] Recovery Plan
In September 2007, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service completed a draft recovery plan that describes and prioritizes actions needed to conserve this species.
[edit] Research
Researchers are and will continue studying the copperbelly water snake to find the best way to manage for the snake and its habitat.
[edit] Habitat Protection and Management
Where possible, the snake's habitat (lowland swamps and adjacent upland woods) will be protected and improved. Endangered Species Act grants have funded habitat management on private lands that support copperbellies in Indiana and Michigan.
