Black Swampsnake

The Black Swampsnake is a small, secretive aquatic colubrid found in marshes and swamps across the southeastern coastal plain of the United States. Its uniformly glossy black upperside contrasts strikingly with a vivid red-orange belly, making it one of the more visually distinctive small wetland snakes when observed closely.

This harmless species is almost never far from water, sheltering among dense aquatic vegetation and organic debris, and feeding on small aquatic invertebrates and amphibians.

• Small, slender body with smooth, glossy scales
• Uniform glossy black to dark brown dorsal coloration with no pattern
• Bright red, orange, or reddish-pink belly, sometimes with dark spotting along the edges
• Small head not distinct from the neck; round pupils
• Distinguished from other small dark wetland snakes by its unpatterned glossy black back and vivid red-orange belly

Inhabits marshes, swamps, wet meadows, and heavily vegetated pond and ditch edges throughout the southeastern coastal plain from Virginia to Louisiana. Often found beneath mats of floating vegetation, sphagnum moss, or organic debris in shallow water.

Secretive and highly aquatic, rarely seen in the open and usually found by searching under floating vegetation or debris. Feeds on small invertebrates such as worms and leeches, as well as tadpoles and small salamanders. Gives birth to live young in summer.