Plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster)

Short answers

Plain-bellied water snake: How big does the enclosure need to be?

150×60×60 cm (an aqua-terrarium with a large water section and a basking spot).

Plain-bellied water snake: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 24–28 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C (basking spot), at night 18–22 °C.

Plain-bellied water snake: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, basks).

Plain-bellied water snake: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: ~10–15 years.

Plain-bellied water snake: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

24–28 °C

Night temperature

18–22 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C (basking spot)

Humidity

50–70 %

UVB

UVB not essential but recommended (diurnal, basks)

Enclosure

Minimum size

150×60×60 cm (an aqua-terrarium with a large water section and a basking spot)

Substrate

Absorbent substrate; a large water area (semi-aquatic) plus a land section with hides

Feeding

Food

Fish (smelt), amphibians; add vitamin B1 if feeding fish only

Feeding interval

adults ~1×/week, juveniles every 3–4 days

Key facts

Adult size

75–120 cm (30–48 inches; females considerably larger and stockier)

Life expectancy

~10–15 years

Origin

The central and eastern USA (wetlands, rivers, floodplains)

Protection status

Not listed under CITES; not protected (not native)

Brumation

A winter rest or cooling of 6–10 weeks at ~10–15 °C to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keeping them singly is recommended – a powerful, defensive water snake with a strong competitive drive around food; there is a considerable risk of injury and cannibalism when feeding them together; put them together only under supervision for breeding

Notes

Defensive: it bites when disturbed and releases musk. A large, deep water section is essential. A fish eater → vitamin B1 is essential. Do not house it with garter snakes. Some species-specific husbandry figures are derived from the Nerodia complex.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon) – Intermediate
• Banded water snake (Nerodia fasciata) – Intermediate
• Ahumada's alpine garter snake (Thamnophis ahumadai) – Expert
• Barred grass snake (Natrix helvetica) – Intermediate
• Bogert's garter snake (Thamnophis bogerti) – Expert
• Dekay's brown snake (Storeria dekayi) – Intermediate
• Butler's garter snake (Thamnophis butleri) – Intermediate
• Cope's mountain meadow snake (Thamnophis copei) – Expert

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×60×60 cm (an aqua-terrarium with a large water section and a basking spot)), substrate (Absorbent substrate; a large water area (semi-aquatic) plus a land section with hides), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.