Added 7 July 2013.
A monotypic genus found in coastal swamps of the southeastern USA. Conant and Collins state that the use by the species of the imported water hyacinth from Venezuela has probably caused its numbers to increase.
Unlike some water snakes, Seminatrix is fairly omnivorous and consumes leeches, small fish, small salamanders including Dwarf Sirens, tadpoles and worms [Conant and Collins], as well as slugs and possibly small insects [Mara]. Mara recommends this species as a hardy, good and long-lived captive, and gives husbandry suggestions. Given the advantages of this species, it seems a pity there is not more available information on it.
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Species |
Common Name |
Origin |
Adult size |
Notes |
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Seminatrix |
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S. pygaea |
(Black) Swamp Snake |
USA (coastal areas of N & S Carolina, S Georgia, nearly all of Florida, extreme SE Alabama) |
10-15"/25-38cm, max 18½"/47cm; young approx 4-6”/10-15cm |
Found in areas with plentiful water hyacinth, and in environs of cypress ponds. May travel overland at night, especially in rainy or dewy conditions. Scalation: keeled; anal divided. Coloration: shiny black overall with red belly; each scale of the 3-5 lowermost rows bears a light longitudinal line that resembles a keel; see also subspecies notes. Reproduction: no details available. |
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S. p. pygaea |
North Florida Swamp Snake |
USA (N Florida, S Georgia, extreme SE Alabama) |
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Scalation: 118-124 ventrals. Coloration: belly uniform red or with pair of black bars on base of each ventral scale. |
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S. p. cyclus |
South Florida Swamp Snake |
USA (S Florida) |
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Scalation: ≤117 ventrals. Coloration: short triangular mark on forward edge of each ventral scale. |
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S. p. palidus |
Carolina Swamp Snake |
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Scalation: ≥127 ventrals. Coloration: pair of black bars on each ventral scale. |
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