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Mud Snake

Farancia abacura

Description:

Destroyer of Amphiuma

Habitat:

swamps and wetlands

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4 Comments

MitchRay
MitchRay 12 years ago

Well as you probably know the the tip of the tail is made up of hardened keratinized scales making it a hard point. Mud Snakes use the pointed tail to pin down slimy Amphiuma and Siren, their prey of choice.

Colloquial names for the Mud Snake in the deep South include Stinging Snake, Hoop Snake, and Horn Snake. Some of the more popular stories

-The "stinger" is extremely deadly
-Mud Snakes use the "stinger" to sting and kill trees
-Mud Snakes place the tip of their tail in the mouth, forming a hoop and travel by rolling around

NeilDazet
NeilDazet 12 years ago

What is the mythology surrounding the tail? I'm not aware of it. Please share...

MitchRay
MitchRay 12 years ago

Possibly my favorite snake. I love the striking color, the amazing adaptations, and the mythology surrounding the tail

NeilDazet
NeilDazet 12 years ago

Awesome find. In Missouri, these mud snakes are only in the swampy section in the extreme SE corner of the snake - like in the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge. Never seen one in the wild myself, so I'm very jealous. That closeup picture is brilliant, completely in focus.

MitchRay
Spotted by
MitchRay

Monroe, Louisiana, USA

Spotted on Apr 3, 2009
Submitted on Apr 3, 2011

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