Description: The black swamp snake is a small, thin snake, usually 10 to 15 inches long (including tail); the record size is 22 inches. It is uniformly black on the dorsum, with a bright orange or red belly.

Habitat: L. pygaea prefers swampland habitat that is heavily vegetated.

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.

Found in these States: AL | FL | GA | NC | SC

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 4 1/4 to 5 inches long (including tail).

Status: Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, presumed large population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.

Subspecies: Three, all found in the United States:
   South Florida Swamp Snake - (Liodytes pygaea cyclas)
   Carolina Swamp Snake - (Liodytes pygaea paludis)
   North Florida Swamp Snake- (Liodytes pygaea pygaea)

Taxonomy: