Kingdom Animalia Order Squamata Family Colubridae Scientific name Seminatrix pygaea Rank Species | Phylum Chordata Suborder Serpentes Subfamily Natricinae Higher classification Seminatrix | |
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Similar Farancia, Tropidoclonion, Glossy crayfish snake, Regina alleni, Virginia | ||
Mytiloida seminatrix
Seminatrix is a genus of colubrid snakes. There is a single species in the genus, the swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea) with three subspecies:
Contents
Subspecies
Geographic range
Swamp snakes are found in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida on the east coast of the United States. They prefer swampland habitat that is heavily vegetated.
Description
Seminatrix are small, thin snakes, usually 25–38 cm (10–15 in) long; the record size (reported for S. pygaea) was 55 cm (22 in). They are uniformly black, with a bright orange or red belly.
Behavior & diet
Swamp snakes are almost entirely aquatic. They spend most of their time hiding among dense vegetation in tannic cypress swamps. They feed on small fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, sirens, amphiumas, and invertebrates, such as leeches and earthworms.
Reproduction
Seminatrix are ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young directly in shallow water. Unlike many snakes, female Seminatrix 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 (4¼-5⅜ in.).