U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

Copperbelly Water Snake Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta

The northern population of the copperbelly water snake is listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. “Threatened” means likely to become endangered in the foreseeable future. “Endangered” means in danger of becoming extinct. Identifying, protecting, and restoring endangered and threatened species is a primary objective of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

What is the Copperbelly Water Snake? Appearance: The copperbelly water

snake is a non-venomous snake that Devender Van Photo by R.W. grows 2 to 4 feet in length. It has a The northern population of the copperbelly water snake is found in Hillsdale County, solid dark (usually black) back with Michigan; Williams County, Ohio; and Steuben County, Indiana. a bright orange-red belly. Females grow larger than males; most Feeding Habits: Frogs and tadpoles includes portions of southern Indiana, copperbellies over 30 inches long are are the copperbelly water snake’s southern Illinois, and northwestern females. main prey. It hunts on land and in Kentucky. The southern population shallow water and favors seasonal segment is not protected by the Habitat: Copperbelly water snakes wetlands where frogs, toads, and Endangered Species Act. need a mosaic of shallow wetlands or salamanders lay their eggs. In floodplain wetlands surrounded by addition to large numbers of prey, Why is the Copperbelly Water forested uplands. Seasonally flooded the gradual drying of these wetlands Snake threatened? wetlands without fish are favored provides excellent feeding conditions Only a couple hundred snakes foraging areas, and copperbellies as tadpoles become stranded. remain in the northern population frequently move from one wetland segment. This ongoing decline can be to another. Copperbellies hibernate, Range: The copperbelly water attributed, in part, to: often in crayfish burrows, in forested snake is found in two geographically wetlands and immediately adjacent separated areas. The northern Habitat Loss and forested uplands. They remain population segment includes Fragmentation: Wetlands used by underground from late October until southern Michigan, northeastern copperbelly water snakes have been late April. Indiana and northwestern Ohio. altered by people for agriculture, Surveys of this population segment roads, housing, flood control, and Reproduction: After emerging from over the last 20 years have shown other development. Because it their hibernation sites, copperbellies a continuing decline in the overall needs many wetlands interspersed become more active as the weather number of snakes. At present, only among uplands over a large area, the warms. Courtship and mating occur five small sub-populations persist copperbelly is especially vulnerable in spring and young snakes are within the tri-state area. to habitat fragmentation. When born in the fall near or in the winter a large block of suitable habitat burrow. The average litter size is not The copperbelly water snake is found is divided into smaller pieces and known. in a second geographic area that separated by agricultural fields, towns, and roads, the fragments Research: Researchers have studied report sightings (with a photograph of habitat can no longer support a the copperbelly water snake and will if possible) by sending an e:mail copperbelly population. continue to learn more about its life to the Fish and Wildlife Service history and habitat requirements at [email protected]. Collection: Copperbelly water to help determine how to stop the Please - only report sightings from snakes are collected because of their continued decline of the northern these or adjacent counties. At this rarity, large size, unique color, and population segment. time, we do not have staff to respond value in the pet trade. Under the to sightings outside of this area. Endangered Species Act, collection is Habitat Protection: Working in illegal without a permit from the U.S. voluntary cooperation with local What are the benefits of helping Fish and Wildlife Service. Permits communities and private landowners, an endangered or threatened are issued only when the collection copperbelly habitat (wetlands and species? of individual snakes will benefit the adjacent upland woods) can be conservation of the species. protected and improved. Funding Supports other wildlife: Actions from federal and state programs as taken to provide habitat for the Predation: A copperbelly water well as conservation organizations copperbelly and other listed species snake travels often during spring, has been used to restore wetlands, also benefit a variety of wildlife that summer, and fall. It moves to plant trees, and offer land protection uses similar habitat. different wetlands as water levels in key areas. Habitat improvement and food availability change and then and protection for copperbellies will Supports community interests: travels to and from its hibernation also help frogs and turtles, ducks and Preserving habitat often helps to site. When moving to different deer, and variety of other wildlife. maintain good water quality and open locations, these snakes are vulnerable space. These factors are important to predators (e.g., skunks, raccoons, What can I do to help to the “quality of life” in many raptors, and snapping turtles), prevent the extinction of the communities. especially if the snakes must travel Copperbelly Water Snake? across cleared areas, such as roads, Provides economic return: mowed areas and farmlands. Learn: Learn more about the Government funds are often available copperbelly water snake and other to support habitat conservation and What is being done to prevent endangered and threatened species. restoration programs that benefit extinction of the Copperbelly Understand how our choices in land endangered or threatened species. Water Snake? use can lead to the destruction of Use of these funds to help listed habitat, which in turn leads to loss of species may also assist private Listing: The northern population endangered and threatened species landowners with achieving their segment of copperbelly water and our nation’s plant and animal goals on their property. In addition, snake gained protection under the diversity. Tell others about what you communities that have “adopted” a Endangered Species Act when it was have learned. species have often benefitted from listed as threatened on February tourism dollars. 28, 1996. Under this Act, it is illegal Conserve: Protecting and improving to harm, harass, collect, or kill the habitat is often the best way to copperbelly within this Distinct benefit endangered or threatened Population Segment (north of species, including the copperbelly. 40° north latitude; approximately Actions taken to restore wetlands, Indianapolis, Indiana). plant trees, and reduce habitat fragmentation are essential to the Recovery Plan: As required under long-term survival of the copperbelly the Endangered Species Act, we in the northern part of its range. prepared a Copperbelly Water Snake Technical assistance and cost share Recovery Plan that describes and may be available through government prioritizes actions needed to help this programs to assist with these efforts. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service population segment survive and avoid 5600 American Blvd. West, extinction. Conservation partners Engage: If you think you have seen Suite 990 are working together to carry out a copperbelly in Hillsdale County, Bloomington, Minnesota 55437 conservation actions identified in this Michigan, Williams County, Ohio 612/713-5350 plan. or Steuben County, Indiana, please http://www.fws.gov/midwest/endangered May 2015