Richard Bartlett photo.

Scientific name: Seminatrix pygaea cyclas

Description: Average adult size is 10-15 inches (25-38 cm), record is 18.5 inches (47 cm). Adults are shiny and solid black. The belly is red with black on the edges. It has 117 or fewer belly scales. The scales on the back are smooth and there are 17 dorsal scale rows at midbody. The pupil is round. Juvenile coloration is similar to that of adults.

South Florida swamp snake: Top view of head (notice the large plate-like scales on the top of the head).

South Florida swamp snake: Left to right: Side view of head; front (face) view of the head.

Range: In Florida, it is found from the central peninsula south to the tip of Florida. It is not found outside of Florida.

Habitat: Commonly found in a variety of aquatic enivironments including cypress swamps, marshes, prairies, lakes, ponds, slow moving streams and rivers, willow heads, hyacinth-choked canals, and estuaries.

Comments: . The South Florida swamp snake is aquatic and prefers to inhabit areas with dense vegetation where it burrows into sphagnum moss, and bottom and floating vegetation. It is rarely encountered away from water, but sometimes can be found under logs or debris near water, in crayfish burrows, or crossing roads during a rain.

It feeds on small fishes, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, sirens, amphiumas, and invertebrates including leeches, and worms.

It is live-bearing, with 2-11 young born in the summer months.

Comparison with other species: The North Florida swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea pygaea) has more than 117 ventral scales with a black line at their base extending 1/3 the distance from the edge to the center. The Florida redbelly snake (Storeria occipitomaculata) is grayish-brown with a light colored neck. The mud snakes (Farancia abacura) have lateral pinkish-red bands or bars and a black and red checkerboard patterned belly.

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