# Event Details

- **Event Name**: Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake
- **Event Start and End Date**: Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 12:00 pm – Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 01:00 pm
- **Event Description**: The Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster)

For our special guest at this week's Wildlife Wonderings on July 1, we have a common snake of Jesse Jones Park -- the Plain-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster).

Often confused for the venomous Cottonmouth, the Plain-bellied Watersnake is a common species of semi-aquatic, non-venomous colubrid snake endemic to the United States. Quite common in Jesse H. Jones Park, it is a large, thick-bodied, mostly patternless snake, with a generally beige underside. Some snakes display a thin, white line between the pale belly and their darker top scales.

Subspecies can range from dark brown, gray, and olive-green to greenish-gray or blackish in color. Some lighter-colored individuals have dark dorsal patterns. Plain-bellied Watersnakes can be distinguished from other watersnakes by their "plain" patternless undersides, which vary in color from light reddish hues to beige; this is where they get the common name "plain-bellied" as they typically have no notable markings on their bellies. 

The scientific name erythrogaster comes from the Greek word "erythros" (meaning 'red') and "gaster" (meaning 'belly'). This species exhibits geographically- distinct, phenotypic variations which result in a number of unique subspecies. Adults vary in size from 24-40 inches in total length.

Plain-bellied Watersnakes are found in every southeastern state of the U.S., except for the higher elevations in the Appalachian Mountains. On the east coast, they are found across Florida, north to southeastern Virginia, as well as western Tennessee. They are found at lower elevations from Georgia and west across the Gulf States, extending as far west as Oklahoma and Texas. 

The snakes are almost always found near a permanent freshwater source, usually several feet deep, and not necessarily clear or fast-moving waters, either. They can often be observed resting on branches or foliage directly over the water, for an easy escape route. In their natural geographic range, the snakes are adapted to a wetland lifestyle, often found at or near creeks, rivers, swamps, floodplains, lakes, and ponds, as well as man-made reservoirs, dams, and canals.

Plain-bellied Watersnakes are active in the warmest months of the year. During the hottest months of summer, they will be active both during the day and at night. In warmer months, they are typically found basking on logs or near bodies of water, swimming, or traveling over land. During hot, humid weather, they will travel long distances away from water. Nerodia erythrogaster is found no further than (approximately) 318 feet away from a freshwater source, but do travel over dry land, around 98–108 feet in a single day. Unfortunately, their migration leads to high mortality rates on roads, with mortality rates reaching up to 60 percent. They tend to spend more time in terrestrial habitats than other species of Nerodia. They hibernate during the coldest months of the winter.

The species finds the bulk of its prey in the water. They feed primarily on tadpoles, small amphibians, fish, crayfish and other crustaceans, aquatic insects, hatchling turtles and carrion. Because of the amount of time they spend on land, the snake's diet includes a large quantity of amphibians, consisting mostly of toads and frogs. Like most other snakes, it will actively hunt for prey, but this species has also been observed submerged underwater and lying in wait for prey to approach. They apprehend and swallow prey alive without the prior use of constriction or envenomation.

This species bears live young like other North American watersnakes and gartersnakes. The snake breeds from April until mid-June in the southeast U.S. The female gives birth during the months from August to September. A typical litter size consists of around 18 young, but litters may exceed that size; one female was observed with a litter of 55 hatchlings in North Carolina. In 2014, a captive female produced two healthy offspring via parthenogenesis.

The Plain-bellied Watersnake is prey to both terrestrial and aquatic predators. Reported predators include largemouth bass, kingsnakes, cottonmouths, and several species of egrets and hawks. When they feel threatened, Plain-bellied Watersnakes may attempt to escape and/or respond with threat displays such as striking in the direction of the perceived threat or releasing a foul musk from its cloaca. Unlike the common watersnake, the Plain-bellied Watersnake will leave water and try to escape over land if threatened. 

Held in the Nature Center beginning at 12 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1, our Wildlife Wonderings program is free of charge and open to all ages. Don’t miss this opportunity to see one of these fascinating creatures up close and in person!
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/humble/wildlife-wonderings-plain-bellied-watersnake/200030239216015
- **Event Categories**: sports
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 15

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Humble
- **state**: TX
- **country**: United States
- **location**: 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX, United States, Texas 77338
- **lat**: 30.0215
- **long**: -95.29382
- **full address**: 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX, United States, Texas 77338

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events8/banners/3bf8d01ce1dd9cac4374db577a1f94c74a4b739fe4d72604e6ea94592e9f7fe3-rimg-w1024-h768-dc938d8e-gmir?v=1782880497

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake being held?
  - **A:** Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake takes place on Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 12:00 pm to Wed, 01 Jul, 2026 at 01:00 pm at 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX, United States, Texas 77338.
- **Q**: Who is organizing Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake?
  - **A:** Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake is organized by Jesse H Jones Park & Nature Center.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake is ideal for sports fans, athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and anyone who loves the thrill of live competitive action and the energy of a crowd. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Humble, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If Wildlife Wonderings - Plain-bellied Watersnake sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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