Red-bellied water snake

Description:

They are almost always found near a permanent water source, a lake, stream, pond, or other slow moving body. It gets its common name because it has no patterning on its underside. Subspecies can vary in color from brown, to gray, to olive green, with dark-colored blotching down the back, and an underside that is yellow, brown, red, or green. It is quick to vigorously defend itself by biting repeatedly, and its mouth has a white interior, resulting in it being misidentified frequently as the venomous cottonmouth.

Habitat:

Mason Farm Biological Reserve

Notes:

My appreciation to Jeff Beane, herpetology collection manager, NC Museum of Natural Sciences, for the ID!