Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster
Redbellied Water Snake

Jasper Co., South Carolina. May 26, 1998

On hot humid nights down in the lowlands along the Savannah river, these snakes may be the most common species found crossing the roads, which is how we found this snake.  Wandering away from water in humid conditions is a documented behavior for this species.  This particular specimen's belly was a yellowish orange near the head, turning to an orange at mid-body.