Seminatrix is a genus of colubrid snakes commonly known as swamp snakes. There is a single species in the genus, Seminatrix pygaea with three subspecies:

Subspecies

• South Florida Swamp Snake, Seminatrix pygaea cyclas (Dowling, 1950)
• Carolina Swamp Snake, Seminatrix pygaea paludis (Dowling, 1950)
• North Florida Swamp Snake, Seminatrix pygaea pygaea (Cope, 1871)

Geographic range

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.

Description

Seminatrix snakes are small, thin snakes, usually no longer than 35-38cm. 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.

References

• Florida Museum of Natural History: Online Guide to the Snakes of Florida