Gulf Swampsnake
Liodytes rigida sinicola
Summary 2
The Gulf crayfish snake (Regina rigida sinicola) is a subspecies of nonvenomous snake endemic to the southeastern United States.
Diagnostic Features: 3
Despite its shiny appearance, Liodytes rigida has keeled dorsal scales (in 19 rows at midbody).
Divided anal plate.
Coloration: 3
Background color is a shiny olive-brown, with a dull yellow lateral stripe found along the first and second scale rows.
A thin dark line bisects the lateral stripe.
The ventral surface is usually yellowish with a medially placed double row of pigmented, half-moon shaped spots.
Size: 3
Liodytes rigida a small species of snake, with adults generally measuring 35.5-61 cm (14-24 in).
General Distribution: 3
Liodytes rigida is found along the Gulf of Mexico, from Florida and Georgia to the east, to the wetter portions of eastern Texas and Oklahoma; they, however, are not found along the Mississippi Delta in Louisiana.
Behavior: 3
The non-venomous Liodytes rigida feeds predominantly on freshly molted crayfish, though a variety of fish, amphibians, and various insects have been documented as food items. Usually only seen above ground during times of heavy rains, L. rigida can also be found by digging into the moist soils under logs, boards, and stones found near the water's edge. They are not known to bite, even when handled by humans. Nocturnal, the activity of this crayfish snake lasts from March to November.
Reproduction: 3
Liodytes rigida is a live-bearing snake, breeding in the spring and giving birth to young during the summer. The juvenile snakes measure 16.5-23 cm (6.5-9 in) at birth.
Habitat: 3
The glossy swampsnake, an uncommonly seen small snake because of its nocturnal feeding habits and subterranean lifestylefound, is exclusively found in the eastern quarter of the state.
Conservation Status: 3
The glossy swampsnake is not a protected species in Texas and can be legally collected with a hunting license.
Texas Distribution: 3
The single subspecies of Liodytes rigida found in Texas, L. r. sinicola (the Gulf Swampsnake), is a reclusive snake found only in the extreme eastern portions of the state.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Caleb Paul, all rights reserved, uploaded by Caleb Paul
- Adapted by Caleb Paul from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liodytes_rigida_sinicola
- (c) Caleb Paul, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
