Mud Snake

Farancia abacura

Mud Snakes are rarely seen, except on rainy nights when they're crossing roads. They hide by day, and at night they burrow in mud and vegetation in search of eels and eel-like salamanders called amphiumas and sirens.

Look For : A shiny, smooth-scaled, blue-black snake with pink or red blotches on belly and sides. Body cylinder-shaped. Sharp tail tip.

Length : 40-81".

Habitat : Swamps, marshes, weedy slow streams and ponds.

Range : Southeastern U.S. and north along Atlantic coast to Delaware. West to central Texas and through the Mississippi River drainage to Illinois.