Kenneth L. Krysko photo.

Scientific name: Farancia abacura.

The following key will separate the two subspecies of mud snakes that are found in Florida. If you are unable to distinguish between the subspecies based on the characteristics in the key below, you probably can do so using the geographic location alone.

1a	The ends of 53 or more red to pink bars from the belly extend onto its sides; found throughout Florida, except the Florida Keys.	Eastern Mud snake, Farancia abacura abacura
1b	The ends of 52 or fewer reddish pink bars extend from the belly onto its sides; extreme western panhandle.	Western Mud snake, Farancia abacura reinwardtii

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