redbellied water snake in a lush wetland habitat a glimpse into riparian reptile life and conservation efforts

redbellied water snake reptile serpent riparian wetland swamp conservation prey venomous nonvenomous herpetology zoology ecology amphibian invertebrate insect camouflage forked tongue aquatic vegetation hibernate estivate defend reptilian feeding breeding sunlight nature biology wildlife behavior natural history mosscovered rock pond efforts habitat species