We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Reptiles

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Mud Snake?

By R. Britton
Updated: Jun 04, 2024
Views: 9,646
Share

There are two types of mud snake, the eastern and western, native to the southern United States. Placid and non-venomous, this snake is semi-aquatic, preferring slow moving or still waters, such as swamps, marshes, ponds, and sluggish streams. The mud snake has a fearsome appearance, reaching up to 6.5 feet (1.9 meters) in length, with a thick body which is mainly black with a repeating pattern of bright red patches along the sides, which extend across the underbelly.

Despite the appearance of this snake, it is actually not aggressive. If captured, it prods the assailant with the end of its tail, which has a hard, pointed collection of scales. Although the end of the tail is sharp and hard, it does not penetrate the skin, contains no toxins, and poses no danger to humans.

This snakes variety lives close to water with a ready food supply. Being nocturnal, the mud snake remains hidden and mainly motionless in areas of dense foliage along the waters edge during the day, becoming very active and hunting during the hours of darkness. Shy and very wary of humans, the mud snake seldom lives in areas frequently disturbed by human activity or in areas of human habitation. Mud snakes are rarely kept as a pets in part because of their shy nature. They become easily stressed by too much activity and very rarely thrive or survive for long periods in a captive environment. This is also due to the very restricted diet of the mature snake, which is very difficult to replicate in captivity.

Adult mud snakes have a diet which consists primarily of two specific salamander species, amphiumas and sirens. If left with no alternative, the adult mud snake will seek an alternative salamander species or occasionally frogs. Juvenile mud snakes have a much more varied diet, eating tadpoles and small fish as well as a wide variety of salamander and newt species.

An egg layer as opposed to a live bearer, the female mud snake nests in hidden hollows and crevices close to water, often beneath the ground. Little is known about the breeding and rearing habits of these snakes because of their secretive nature. One theory holds that a single female mud snake is able to lay up to 100 eggs; another contends that the often large numbers of eggs come from many females, and that the mud snake uses communal nests. A female provides care and protection for eggs until they hatch, which can take up to three months.

Share
All Things Nature is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Discussion Comments
By CarrotIsland — On Jan 29, 2011

@oceanswimmer: You are actually correct. The mud snake has been called the “horned snake” and the “stinging snake”. Also, old Southern folklore has led to the mud snake being known as the “hoop snake”. This is because it has been said that the mud snake can put its tail in its mouth and roll around like a wheel. However, that is not true. The snake is not even capable of moving that way.

By OceanSwimmer — On Jan 27, 2011

Isn't this snake also known as the horned snake? I might be thinking about a different snake.

Share
https://www.allthingsnature.org/what-is-a-mud-snake.htm
Copy this link
All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

All Things Nature, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.