Harmless · North Carolina
Mud Snake
Farancia abacura
Large glossy black snake with red on the belly and sides.
At a glance
Size
Usually 40-60 inches.
North Carolina range
Coastal Plain
Habitat
swamps, marshes, wetlands
Diet
Primarily aquatic salamanders such as amphiumas and sirens.
Pattern
red belly bars
Venomous
No
How to identify it
Large, glossy black aquatic snake with red or pink bars extending up the sides from the belly and a pointed tail tip.
Where to look in North Carolina
Found mainly in the Coastal Plain.
Swamps, marshes, ponds, and slow-moving 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.
