Common Name: 
Yellow-bellied water snake

Scientific Name: 
Nerodia erythrogaster

Identification: 16-45 in. Dark gray-green back: yellow belly. Young snakes of this species are marked like other water snakes: pale with large, squared alternating blotches. Scales keeled. 

Habits: The yellow-bellied water snake is less aquatic than other water snakes and may be found some distance from water in wooded areas.

Distribution: Throughout Louisiana.

Comments: The yellow bellied snake also resembles the poisonous water moccasin, but is non-venomous and therefore harmless.