Copperbelly water snakes have a solid dark (usually black but bluish and brown) back with a bright orange-red belly.

Recent studies have shown that at least 500 acres (200 ha) of more or less continuous swamp-forest habitat is necessary to sustain a viable population over time.

Upland woods and slightly-elevated lowland chimney crayfish (Cambarus diogenes) burrows are used as winter hibernation sites.

An entire colony of all age/size classes has once been observed just underwater, foraging together in the shallows of a small woodland shrub swamp, their heads moving back and forth with mouths open, even along with a few common water snakes.

Nocturnal foraging has been observed in the southern part of the range, and after hot, humid summer days in the northern sector.

The snakes find food in the woods after the late spring rains, especially if there is a high water table, cover items and chimney crayfish burrows.

The population of copperbelly water snakes that lives in southern Michigan, northeastern Indiana (north of 40 degrees latitude in that state), and northwestern Ohio has been listed as threatened by the US Fish And Wildlife Service (USFWS).

These snakes have declined mainly because of the drainage, pollution, loss and filling over of their lowland swamp habitat and clearing of adjacent upland woods where they spend the winter (hibernation sites).

Copperbelly water snakes are collected fairly regularly because of their rarity, large size, unique color, and value in the pet trade.

Fish and Wildlife Service completed a draft recovery plan that describes and prioritizes actions needed to conserve this subspecies.

Endangered Species Act grants have funded habitat management on private lands that support copperbellies in Indiana and Michigan.