Kingdom Animalia Subphylum Vertebrata Suborder Serpentes Scientific name Regina rigida Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Order Squamata Family Colubridae Higher classification Regina | |
 | ||
Similar Glossy crayfish snake, Snake, Gulf crayfish snake, Regina, Reptile | ||
Regina rigida, commonly known as the crayfish snake, is a species of semiaquatic snake endemic to the southeastern United States that preys mainly on crayfish.
Contents
Geographic range
This species is found on the coastal plains of both the Atlantic Coast and the Gulf Coast: in eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, southern Arkansas, Louisiana, southern Mississippi, southern Alabama, northern Florida, southern Georgia, eastern South Carolina, and southeastern North Carolina. There is also a disjunct population in eastern Virginia.
Description
Adults are on average 16 inches (about 41 cm) in total length, and are heavy-bodied. The maximum recorded total length for this species is 31 2⁄8 inches (79 cm).
Regina rigida is olive brown dorsally. Additionally, two blackish dorsal stripes may or may not be present. The upper lips (labial scales) are yellow. Ventrally it is yellow with two parallel series of black spots, which merge anteriorly into a single series. The ventral surface of the tail may have a median black line, or it may be unmarked.
The dorsal scales are arranged in 19 rows at midbody. They are strongly keeled, except for the first two rows. The first row (adjacent to the ventrals) is smooth, and the second row is weakly keeled. Ventrals 132-142; anal plate divided; subcaudals 51-71, divided.
Subspecies
The species contains three subspecies:
