Harmless · North Carolina
Glossy Crayfish Snake
Regina rigida
Secretive aquatic snake that feeds heavily on crayfish.
At a glance
Size
Usually 14-24 inches.
North Carolina range
Coastal Plain
Habitat
swamps, ditches, wetlands
Diet
Primarily crayfish; occasionally small fish and amphibians.
Pattern
subtle stripes
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Glossy brown or olive aquatic snake with subtle dark stripes and a yellowish belly marked by dark spots or half-moons.
Where to look in North Carolina
Rare and restricted to the Coastal Plain.
Swamps, marshes, ditches, and heavily vegetated wetlands.
Regional maps show broad physiographic provinces, not county-level records.
Photo guide
Use the gallery to check pattern, body shape, and context—not just overall color.
