Mud Snake

Breeding:
Mates in spring. July to August female lays 11-104 eggs, about 1 3/8” long, in an earthen cavity. She may remain with eggs until hatching in 7-8 weeks. August to September.
Hatchlings 6 ¼ - 9 ½ “ (16-24cm) long.

Habitat:
Swampy, weedy lake margins; slow-moving, mud-bottomed streams; shallow sloughs criss-crossed with rotting logs; floodplains.

Range:
Se. Virginia to s. Florida and west to e. Texas, and north in Mississippi Valley to s.
Illinois. Isolated population in nc. Alabama.

Subspecies:
Eastern, tops of red bars pointed, 53 or more (not counting tail); se. Virginia to s. Florida and west to se. Alabama.
Western, tops of red bars rounded, 52 or fewer; w. Alabama to e. Texas, north in
Mississippi Valley to s. Illinois.

Habits much like those of Rainbow Snake. Especially active on rainy nights and may be seen crossing roads in swampy areas. It does not bite when picked up, but captor may be poked with its harmless spine-tipped tail. Eats sirens and amphiumans. Longevity exceeds 18 years.