72 



THE AMERICAN MIDLAND NATURALIST 



Map 16. Ohio locality records and general 

 range of the Red-bellied Water Snake, 

 Natrix er^throgasler er\)lhrogasler. 



Habitat and Habits. — The red-bellied water snake is rare in Ohio but 

 although it has been taken in only two restricted locahties it appears to be 

 well estabhshed in each. The conditions in both are similar. There are small 

 woodland ponds, shallow in spring but frequently becoming dry in summer. 

 Second growth woods border at least a portion of them, but open grassy 

 meadows (devoted to grazing) are adjacent to or even surround the smaller 

 ones. Cat tails rise in many and in the majority there is a profuse growth of 

 the button-bush (Cephalanthus ocadentalis L.). 



As long as water remains in the ponds the red-bellied water snakes may 

 be found in or near them, and often they may be seen sunning themselves on 

 logs, tufts of grass or on the button-bushes. When the ponds become dry, 

 however, the snakes wander about the meadows and woods where they have 

 been taken as. much as 200 yards or more from the nearest empty pond. They 

 are difficult to find in midsummer, for besides the fact that they are scattered, 

 the vegetation is high and forms an excellent cover for them. 



Red-bellies are active and aggressive. They plunge into the water when 

 approached and once alarmed they often remain motionless on the bottom 



