Herpetofauna: One Life's List

Farancia abacura reinwardtii
Western Mud Snake

Union Co., Illinois. May 22, 2002

Holy cow!  This was a big one.  It only took twenty four years and countless trips down to southern Illinois before I finally got lucky.  It's not that Mud Snakes are rare - they're simply a rare find.  They're out in the muck and mire, places most people tend to avoid. Every year I hear of one or two Mud Snakes being found down in that area.

There had been a lot of rain the week before, and the water was high everywhere, including up to the edge of roads and railroad beds.  This little beauty was hiding under a railroad tie.

Below is a habitat shot, taken where the animal was found.