swamp snake | |
---|---|
swamp snake, Seminatrix pygaea | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Colubridae |
Subfamily: | Natricinae |
Genus: | Seminatrix |
Species: | S. pygaea |
Binomial name | |
Seminatrix pygaea (Cope, 1871) |
|
Synonyms | |
Contia pygaea Cope, 1871 |
Seminatrix is a genus of colubrid snakes. There is a single species in the genus, the swamp snake (Seminatrix pygaea) with three subspecies:
Contents[hide] |
Swamp snakes are found in the states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida on the east coast of the United States. They prefer swampland habitat, that is heavily vegetated.
Seminatrix are small, thin snakes, usually 25-38cm (10-15 in.) long; record 47 cm (18½ in.).[1] They are uniformly black, with a bright orange or red belly.
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.
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.[2] Newborns are 11-14 cm (4¼-5⅜ in.).[3]