Swamp Snake

Breeding:
Live-bearing; 2-13 young, 4 ¼ - 5 ½ “ long, are born August to October.

Habitat:
Swamps, cedar and cypress ponds, canals and drainage ditches, especially area overgrown with water hyacinth.

Range:
Coastal North Carolina to peninsular Florida, west to extreme se. Alabama. Isolated population in South Carolina.

Subspecies:
North Florida, 118-127 belly scales; coast Georgia to c. Florida, west to se. Alabama.
South Florida, 117 or fewer belly scales; s. Florida.
North Carolina, 127 or more belly scales; coastal plain of North and South Carolina. Often found hiding amid mats of aquatic vegetation or seen at night after heavy rain s. Eats leeches, small fish, frogs, tadpoles, Dwarf Sirens. It is timid and does not bite when handled.