Black swamp snake
The black swamp snake ("Liodytes pygaea") is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the southeastern United States. There are three subspecies, including the nominotypical subspecies. Common names. Additional common names for "L. pygaea" include black swampsnake, mud snake, red-bellied mud snake, and swamp snake. Subspecies. The following three subspecies are recognized as being valid. "Nota bene": A trinomial authority in parentheses indicates that the subspecies was originally described in a genus other than "Liodytes". Geographic range. "L. pygaea" is found in the states of North  Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida on the east coast of the United States. Habitat. "L. pygaea" prefers swampland habitat that is heavily vegetated. Description. The black swamp snake is a small, thin snake, usually long (including tail); the record size is . It is uniformly black on the dorsum, with a bright orange or red belly. Behavior. The black swamp snake is almost entirely aquatic. It spends most of its time hiding among dense vegetation in tannic cypress swamps. Diet. "L. pygaea" feeds on small fish, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, sirens, amphiumas, and invertebrates, such as leeches and earthworms. Reproduction . The black swamp snake is ovoviviparous, giving birth to live young directly in shallow water. Unlike many snakes, females feed actively while gravid, suggesting that they may pass nutrients directly on to the young. Broods of 11 to 13 have been observed. Newborns are 11–14 cm (4¼-5⅜ in) long (including tail).