Liodytes rigida sinicola (Huheey 1959)

The Gulf crayfish snake (Liodytes rigida sinicola) is a subspecies of nonvenomous snake endemic to the southeastern United States.

Description

It averages 20 inches (51 cm) when fully grown, with a record of 31.5 inches (80 cm). Its color is best described as chocolate brown.

Diet

This subspecies feeds almost entirely on crayfish.

Taxonomy

Close relatives of the Gulf crayfish snake are the glossy crayfish snake (Liodytes rigida rigida) and the Delta crayfish snake (Liodytes rigida deltae).

Further reading

• Huheey, James E. 1959. Distribution and Variation in the Glossy Water Snake, Natrix rigida (Say). Copeia 1959 (4): 303–311. (Natrix rigida sinicola)