NON-VENOMOUS

Other common names

Yellow-bellied Watersnake, Red-bellied Watersnake

Basic description

Most adult Plain-bellied Watersnakes are about 30-48 inches (76-122 cm) in total length. Adults are thick-bodied and are uniform greenish gray or reddish-brown in color with no patterning on the back. The belly, neck, and lip scales are almost uniform yellow or reddish-orange. Juveniles are grayish-brown with distinct dark crossbands and blotches. The juvenile pattern fades into the uniform adult coloration within about one year.

brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Range

Plain-bellied Watersnakes are found primarily in the Panhandle west of the Ochlockonee River. However, an apparently separate population is found east of the Panhandle in parts of the Santa Fe River and Suwannee River.

Assessment of risk to people and pets

Non-venomous. Plain-bellied Watersnakes are not dangerous to people or pets, but they will readily bite to defend themselves. These snakes are not aggressive and avoid direct contact with people and pets. Virtually all bites occur when the snakes are intentionally molested.

Comparison with other species

Florida Cottonmouth (Agkistrodon conanti) Venomous If the head is viewed from above, the eyes of cottonmouths cannot be seen while the eyes of watersnakes are visible. Cottonmouths have vertically elliptical (cat-like) pupils, whereas watersnakes have round pupils. Cottonmouths have a facial pit between the nostril and the eye, whereas watersnakes do not.

two images side by side - Image 1: coiled snake with raised head. Image 2: brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Florida Cottonmouth. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Southern Watersnake (Nerodia fasciata) Non-venomous Southern Watersnakes have broad black, brown, or red crossbands (often bordered with black) down the back and a dark stripe that extends from the eye to the angle of the jaw.

two images side by side - Image 1: coiled snake with raised head. Image 2: brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Dark adult southern watersnake performing defensive head flattening. Photo courtesy of Luke Smith.
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Midland Watersnake (Nerodia sipedon pleuralis) Non-venomous Midland Watersnakes have fewer than 30 darker brown crossbands near the neck, which break up into alternating blotches further down the body, and the belly is yellowish marked with two rows of half-moons.

two images side by side - Image 1: small patterned snake on pavement. Image 2: brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Midland Watersnake. Photo courtesy of hunterewgley/iNaturalist
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Florida Green Watersnake (Nerodia floridana) Non-venomous Florida Green Watersnakes are dark green and have scales between the eye and the scales on the upper lip.

two images side by side - Image 1: dull green snake in marsh grass. Image 2: brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Florida Green Watersnake. Photo courtesy of johnjinjohny/iNaturalist
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Brown Watersnake (Nerodia taxispilota) Non-venomous Brown Watersnakes have squarish dorsal blotches along the entire body.

two images side by side - Image 1: coiled brown snake with dark brown markings. Image 2: brown snake coiled on sandy river bank
Adult brown watersnake. Photo courtesy of Todd Pierson.
Plain-bellied Watersnake in its natural habitat. Photo courtesy of Jake Scott/iNaturalist

Share your observations

You can help scientists better understand the biology and distribution of this species by sharing your observations. Send photos or videos of interesting observations, along with associated information, by emailing the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum for documentation in the Museum’s Herpetology Master Database. You can also post your observations on iNaturalist.

Additional helpful information

Do you have snakes around your house? Learn how to safely co-exist with snakes.

Still have questions about snakes or identifications? Feel free to email the herpetology staff at the Florida Museum with your questions or feedback on this profile.

Banner photo courtesy jakescott/iNaturalist/CC-BY-NC-4.0  Please credit any photographers on the page and see our copyright policy.