Colubridae
Black Swampsnake
HarmlessSeminatrix pygaea
6 photographs of the Black Swampsnake. © Andrew Durso.
The Black Swampsnake (Seminatrix pygaea) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Black Swampsnake
The black swamp snake (Liodytes pygaea) is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. There are three subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies.
Common names
Additional common names for L. pygaea include black swampsnake, mud snake, red-bellied mud snake, and swamp snake.
Subspecies
The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid.
South Florida swamp snake, Liodytes pygaea cyclas (Dowling, 1950)
Carolina swamp snake, Liodytes pygaea paludis (Dowling, 1950)
North Florida swamp snake, Liodytes pygaea pygaea (Cope, 1871)
Nota bene: A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than Liodytes.
Geographic range
L. pygaea is found in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida on the east coast of the United States.
Habitat
L. pygaea prefers swampland habitat that is heavily vegetated.
Description
The black swamp snake is a small, thin snake, usually 25–38 cm (10–15 in) long (including tail); the record size is 55 cm (22 in). It is uniformly black on the dorsum, with a bright orange or red belly.
Behavior
The black swamp snake is almost entirely aquatic. It spends most of its time hiding among dense vegetation in tannic cypress swamps.
Diet
L. pygaea feeds on small fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, sirens, amphiumas, and invertebrates, such as leeches and earthworms.
Reproduction
The black swamp snake is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young directly in shallow water. Unlike many snakes, females feed actively while gravid, suggesting that they may pass nutrients directly on to the young. Broods of 11 to 13 have been observed. Newborns are 11–14 cm (4.3–5.5 in) long (including tail).
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Black Swampsnake
- Is the Black Swampsnake venomous?
- No. The Black Swampsnake (Seminatrix pygaea) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Black Swampsnake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Swampsnake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Black Swampsnake dangerous?
- The Black Swampsnake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Black Swampsnake live?
- The Black Swampsnake has verified records in 1 country, including United States of America. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Black Swampsnake eat?
- L. pygaea feeds on small fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, sirens, amphiumas, and invertebrates, such as leeches and earthworms.
- Why is it called the Black Swampsnake?
- Additional common names for L. pygaea include black swampsnake, mud snake, red-bellied mud snake, and swamp snake.
Where it is found
By U.S. state
More Colubridae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Colubridae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Liodytes
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Seminatrix pygaea
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.