The Yellowbelly Water Snake occurs throughout deep east Texas and eastward throughout much of Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and in parts of Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois. It is an aquatic species generally found near the larger and more permanent bodies of water such as marshes, swamps, river bottoms, and along the edges of lakes and ponds. They feed mainly on fish, frogs and tadpoles. Adults typically reach 30 to 48 inches in length. The record size for the Yellowbelly Water Snake is 59 inches. Like other water snakes, when threatened or provoked, the Yellowbelly Water Snake displays a very aggressive and nasty disposition. Due to its plain dark greenish to black dorsal color, stout body, aquatic nature and nasty disposition, this harmless species is often mistaken for the venomous Western Cottonmouth.
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