Striped Swampsnake
Liodytes alleni
The semi aquatic snake grows to a length of 13 to 20 inches, tail inclusive. Perhaps its most prominent feature is the smooth shiny black scales on its dorsum. It divides…
How to identify
The semi aquatic snake grows to a length of 13 to 20 inches, tail inclusive. Perhaps its most prominent feature is the smooth shiny black scales on its dorsum. It divides its total body area into two colors. Its dark dorsum is marked by indistinct stripes which gives the organism its name. The underside is yellow and marked with black blotches. Its scales are smooth and shiny while the anal region has keeled scales. The females are conspicuously larger than males.
Range
The striped swampsnake is endemic to the Florida peninsula.
Habitat
The striped swampsnake goes by many other names such as Allen's snake, the striped swamp snake, the striped crayfish snake, and the swamp snake. It dwells in bogs and swamps. They feed on crayfish, shrimp and dragonfly larvae. They have live births having 6 or more young at once.
Similar species
The black swamp snake or liodytes pygaea is a small snake that grows no more than 15 inches. It has a black dorsum and an orange or red ventral side. The crayfish snake or Liodytes rigida has an olive brown dorsum and a yellow ventral side marked with two series of parallel black spots. Graham's crayfish snake or Regina grahamii is a medium-sized snake that grows between 18 to 28 inches. The dorsum is brown to gray with a cream, yellow or tan underside.
Name and etymology
Alleni: Honoring Joel A. Allen
At a glance
Size
705 mm
Range
The striped swampsnake is endemic to the Florida peninsula.
Habitat
The striped swampsnake goes by many other names such as Allen's snake, the striped swamp snake, the striped crayfish snake,…
Range map
Approximate range. © Mapbox © OpenStreetMap