As their name suggests, Red-bellied Snakes have an orange or deep red ventral surface, margined by grayish bands. Their backs can be gray, brown, reddish-brown, or black with several lighter gray and dark gray stripes extending longitudinally. Some individuals will also have a very faint rusty brown or orange band around their necks (pictured above). Red-bellied Snakes are members of the family Natricidae. Within the state, they are most closely related to the Northern Brown Snake.
Ten Facts about Red-bellied Snake
- Red-bellied Snakes are commonly found under debris or ground cover in wooded habitats or moist grassy meadows.
- Red-bellied Snakes seem to be able to withstand a degree of human disturbance.
- Red-bellied snakes feed primarily on soft-bodied prey, such as slugs, sow bugs, or snails.
- These are small snakes that generally only reach 2.8 to 4.3 inches as juveniles and 8 to 10 inches as adults.
- These types of snakes hibernate during the winter and they will meet with other snakes at the hibernation site.
- Raccoons, crows, hawk and even domesticated cats like the red belly snake.
- They do not bite the predator but they do curl their lip up and expose the teeth but this rarely scares any predator.
- When treaten the red belly snake rolls over and plays dead.
- Sexual maturity at the age of 1-2 years.
- They can be treat as a pet also.
