Farancia abacura reinwardtii

(Schlegel, 1837)

Vernacular names

English : Red-bellied mudsnake
French : Serpent-de-boue à ventre rouge

Classification

Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Dipsadidae/Colubridae
Notes : 1 other subspecies known.

Identification

The species can reach a length of 2 m. Heavy body, broad head with small eyes. Short tail ends in a spine used to prod prey items. Coloration is shiny black. Red belly with black transversal bands. Broad red markings on lower flanks.

Range and habitat

The species occurs in North America and is found in south-east USA, from Georgia to Texas. Subspecies found in the south part of the range, from Florida to east Texas. Lives in wetlands, including swamps, vegetated lake margins and marshes.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species seems to be fairly common in most of its range. It could be vulnerable to water pollution but seems to face no known threats so far.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation