Red-Bellied Mud Snake

Scientific Name: Farancia abacura

Also Known As: Mud Snake

Range: All of Florida

Diet: Fish, Crustaceans, Amphibians

Life Expectancy: 5 - 10 Years

Photo 19920279 © Saunders Drukker, CC BY-NC

Red-Bellied Mud Snake conservation status - Least Concern

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Appearance and Identification
Habits and Behavior

Habitat and Range
Diet

Signs and Preventing

This Snake is Not Venomous

Red-Bellied Mud Snakes in Central Florida

The red-bellied mud snake (Farancia abacura) is a harmless, semi-aquatic colubrid species indigenous to the southeastern United States. As their name denotes, these snakes possess a distinctive red ventral surface visible when threatened. Red-bellied mudsnakes thrive in Central Florida’s subtropical climate and wetland ecosystems.

This guide provides detailed identification characteristics, natural history facts, ideal habitat conditions, diet, and prevention tips regarding red-bellied mudsnakes inhabiting Central Florida.

Appearance and Identification

Red-bellied mudsnakes can be identified by the following juvenile and adult morphological features

Adult Mudsnakes

Size: Adult red-bellied mudsnakes average 20-30 inches (50-75 cm) long but can reach up to 4 feet (1.2 m).
Coloration: Adults exhibit olive, brown, or black dorsum with bold pink or red venter which extends onto the sides. The red ventral scales provide their common name.
Head: Distinctive small head with a pointed snout and large eyes featuring round pupils.
Body: Slender cylindrical body with smooth dorsal scales in 15 rows at midbody. The tail is relatively short at 15-20% of total length.

Juvenile Mudsnakes

Size: Hatchlings average 8-10 inches (20-25 cm) long. They reach around 16 inches (40 cm) by their first year.
Coloration: Juvenile coloration c