Black Swamp Snake

Seminatrix pygaea, (Cope)

Colouration: The peculiar markings produce the effect of a snake with keeled scales. The upper-surfaces are blue-black, each scale shining and opalescent. In the centre of each scale, and particularly noticeable on the sides, is a very narrow and faint line of a pale hue; unless examined very closely, these lines look precisely like keels. Mr. Arthur Erwin Brown remarks: "It is possible that the bright line on the dorsal scales may indicate the former presence of keels, but lately lost."
Dimensions: The measurements are of an adult, female specimen, taken near Lake Kerr, Marion County, Florida:
Distribution: Found only in Florida.
Habits: The few captive specimens observed by the writer refused such food as young frogs, fishes, earthworms and salamanders. They spent their time in hiding under a piece of bark in their cage. The specimen from which the measurements were taken gave birth to eleven young on the 20th of August; the young were as indifferent to food as the parent; their colouration was exactly like her. They were fond of laying in the water of their drinking dish; their skins were shed under water.

Size rather small. Scales of the body smooth and lustrous; those of the tail faintly keeled. Form rather stout; head not distinct.

The sides of the neck are obscurely banded with dull yellow-the bands extending lengthwise.

For the greater part of its length, the abdomen is brick-red, crossed by narrow black bars, but this characteristic is not evident toward the tail.

Total Length . . . . . 16 3/4 inches.

Length of Tail . . . . . 2 7/8 inches.

Greatest Diameter . . . . . 1/2 inches.

Width of Head . . . . . 3/8 inches.

Length of Head . . . . . 9/16 inches.

Wild examples are to be found under logs, along the borders of creeks and ponds, or in swamps.

The Genus Liodytes: Contains a single species, confined to Florida; it is related to a Central American and Mexican genus--Helicops.