SOUTH AMERICAN SNAKES
Physical Characteristics - The short, oval head is not set off from the neck, and the body looks squat and strong. The short tail ends in a horny spine, which is why the snake is sometimes called the "horn snake." The scales are smooth everywhere except above the anal region. The anal plate is generally divided, though in some specimens undivided. The scales have a metallic sheen especially in bright light. The eyes are rather small. The top of the body is shiny gray to black, and the belly is red mottled with black. Albinos are sometimes found, but are rare.
Length: 40 - 50 inches; in rare cases up to 81 inches.
Distribution and behavior - Found in Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, and Alabama. Some species are found in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Lousiana, and Texas. The Mud Snake inhabits plains up to an altitude of 650 feet. It spends most of its time in the water. It especially likes cypress swamps, wet lowlands, and small and large ponds surrounded by dense vegetation. It often lies under logs. When picked up it won't bite, but will roll itself up in a ball, displaying the read and black warning colors on its belly.
MUD SNAKE
