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Definition of plain-bellied water snake
plain-bellied water snake
Plural:plain-bellied water snakes
• noun
1
North American A large, thick-bodied, non-venomous semi-aquatic snake (Nerodia erythrogaster) native to the United States, characterized by a solid greenish-gray, brown, or black back and a distinctly unmarked, reddish, orange, or yellowish underside.
Example
"While kayaking through the marsh, the guide pointed out a plain-bellied water snake sunning itself on a low-hanging branch."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often mistaken for the venomous water moccasin (cottonmouth) due to its similar size and semi-aquatic habitat, though the plain-bellied water snake is entirely non-venomous and harmless to humans.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Plain-bellied water snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 18, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/plain-bellied%20water%20snake