Florida's Snakes thumbnail photo of snake identification guide cover

Striped Crayfish Snake
(Regina alleni)

NON-VENOMOUS

stripes icon
Striped


Striped Crayfish Snake

Photo of striped crayfish snake showing faint stripes and yellowish lower sides

 Photo by J.D. Willson (SREL). This photo may not be used without the express written permission of the photographer. 

Size:

Usually 1–1.5 ft. (max. ~2 ft.)

Identification:

Back is dark brown and very shiny, especially when wet. Back is marked with three indistinct black stripes. Lower sides are yellow or reddish-brown. Belly is yellow. Scales are smooth. This snake gives birth to live young (does not lay eggs).

Habitats:

Found from the eastern panhandle south throughout the peninsula in freshwater habitats with dense vegetation, including canals, lakes, ponds, swamps, marshes, wet prairies, and cypress swamps. It spends much of its time hiding in mats of dense vegetation, such as water hyacinth.

Diet:

Dragonfly nymphs, crayfish, shrimp, small fish

map showing that striped crayfish snakes are found in most of Florida, with the exception of the western panhandle

Map by Monica E. McGarrity - may be used freely for education.


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