Nerodia erythrogaster erythrogaster Redbelly Watersnake Richard Bartlett photo. The belly, neck, and labial scales are reddish-orange. The scales are keeled , and there are 23 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juveniles are grayish-brown with distinct dark crossbands and blotches , with pale yellow or pinkish bellies.
Juvenile redbelly watersnake.
Richard Bartlett photo. In Florida, it is found from the northern peninsula west throughout the panhandle. Outside of Florida, it is found from southern Alabama northeast along the Atlantic coast to Virginia. Commonly found in rivers, lakes, ponds, swamps, and cypress strands. The redbelly watersnake is active mainly during the daytime.