Copper-Bellied Watersnakes – Coping In A Man’s World

Populations of the Copper-bellied Watersnake (Nerodia erythrogaster neglecta) are threatened with extirpation throughout much of their range, especially the northern populations. These declines are the result of habitat loss and degradation from agriculture, surface mining and the draining of wetlands within the large wetland complexes they need to persist. Knowing the ecosystem requirements of copperbellies and how anthropogenic alterations impact their behavior are critical for producing effective management guidelines and recovery strategies