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Copperbelly Water Snakes and Its Habitat

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.

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Copperbelly Water Snakes and Its Habitat

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  1. Copperbelly Water SnakesandIts Habitat By: Matt Tekulve

  2. Simi-Aquaticand Aquatic Snakes • Queen Snake • Garter Snake • Northern Brown Water Snake • Cottonmouth • Diamondback Water Snake • Midland Water Snake • Red, Yellow and Copperbelly Water Snake

  3. Adult IdentificationCopperbelly 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 .

  4. Juvenile Identification • Juvenile’s are strongly blotched and banded similar to other juvenile water snakes

  5. Similar Species • Many times the Copperbelly may be misidentified for: • Northern Brown Water Snake • Cottonmouth • Midland Water Snake • Red and Yellowbelly water snake

  6. Diet

  7. Types of Habitats Wetlands • Wetlands • Uplands • Wintering

  8. Types of Wetlands Floodplain Forest Shrub Swamp Undulating Shore line Shallow Open Water Ephemeral Wetland

  9. Upland Habitat • Copperbelly Water Snakes can travel Hundreds of yards from wetlands mostly in hot months • Travel, Shedding, birthing, digestion, refuge

  10. Wintering Habitat • Copperbelly Water Snakes Hibernate in Crayfish Burrows Late October to April

  11. Movement • Copperbelly Water Snakes are Simi-Aquatic • Average seasonal Home Range is 20 ha (50 acres) • Use 3-5 wetlands regularly

  12. Corridors • Can not be intimidating • Riparian Buffer Strips • Short Upland Forest • Seasonal Wetlands

  13. Distribution • North Range- Ohio (Williams Co.) and Michigan (Hillsdale Co.) • South Range- SE Illinois, S. Indiana, W Tenn., NW Kentucky

  14. 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

  15. Cpperbelly Water Snake Conservation Agreement • Formed in 1997 In Illinois and Kentucky • Remove Threats to its existence • Cooperation of Private and Public Parties

  16. 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

  17. Natural Predators • Large Fish • Snapping Turtles • Herons • Hawks • Foxes • Raccoons • Opossums • Minks • Skunks • Domestic Dogs, Cats and Hogs

  18. Human as Predator: Management Problems • Loss of Habitat and Fragmentation • Wetland Drainage • Wetland Filling • Wetland Deepening • Agriculture Purposes • Surface mining • Water Quality • Pet Trade

  19. 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)

  20. Edge • 10-20 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

  21. Ways to Help • Learn about endangered species and their Habitat • Protect the habitat • Educate others SaveMe

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