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  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 Shallow Open Water Ephemeral Wetland Undulating Shore line

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 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  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  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  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