Missouri Department of Conservation
Missouri Department of Conservation

Taxonomy

Common Name: MUDSNAKE, WESTERN

Phylum: CHORDATA

Class: REPTILIA

Order: SQUAMATA

Family: COLUBRIDAE

Genus: FARANCIA

Species: ABACURA

SubSpecies: REINWARDTII

Taxonomic Authority: (SCHLEGEL)

Taxonomy References: 016

Status

NONGAME
STATE RANK S2
GLOBAL RANK G5T5

Status References: 003 , 012 , 015

Habitat Summary

"Occur in swamps."

Primary Habitat: "Wetland - swamp"

References: 001 , 007

Distribution

General Occurrence in State:

"Occurs in southeastern lowlands *01*."

County Occurance

County Occurence
Known Likely Unknown Not Likely Historic Extirpated
BOLLINGER CAPE GIRARDEAU ST. FRANCOIS ADAIR
BUTLER CARTER ANDREW
MISSISSIPPI DUNKLIN ATCHISON
PEMISCOT NEW MADRID AUDRAIN
STODDARD RIPLEY BARRY
WAYNE SCOTT BARTON
BATES
BENTON
BOONE
BUCHANAN
CALDWELL
CALLAWAY
CAMDEN
CARROLL
CASS
CEDAR
CHARITON
CHRISTIAN
CLARK
CLAY
CLINTON
COLE
COOPER
CRAWFORD
DADE
DALLAS
DAVIESS
DEKALB
DENT
DOUGLAS
FRANKLIN
GASCONADE
GENTRY
GREENE
GRUNDY
HARRISON
HENRY
HICKORY
HOLT
HOWARD
HOWELL
IRON
JACKSON
JASPER
JEFFERSON
JOHNSON
KNOX
LACLEDE
LAFAYETTE
LAWRENCE
LEWIS
LINCOLN
LINN
LIVINGSTON
MACON
MADISON
MARIES
MARION
MCDONALD
MERCER
MILLER
MONITEAU
MONROE
MONTGOMERY
MORGAN
NEWTON
NODAWAY
OREGON
OSAGE
OZARK
PERRY
PETTIS
PHELPS
PIKE
PLATTE
POLK
PULASKI
PUTNAM
RALLS
RANDOLPH
RAY
REYNOLDS
SALINE
SCHUYLER
SCOTLAND
SHANNON
SHELBY
ST. CHARLES
ST. CLAIR
ST. LOUIS
STE. GENEVIEVE
STONE
SULLIVAN
TANEY
TEXAS
VERNON
WARREN
WASHINGTON
WEBSTER
WORTH
WRIGHT

References for distribution: 001 , 009 , 010 , 014

Distribution by Watersheds

Miss R. from Ohio R. to Arkansas Border
St. John's Ditch and Blue Ditch
St. Francis R. from Headwaters to Wappapello Dam
St. Francis R. from Wappapello Dam to Arkansas Border
Little R.
Area Bordered by Black R. and St. Francis R. South of Quintan, MO
Black R.
Current R.

Comments: "Likely to occur in units listed, based on county occurrence."

Distribution by Ecoregions

Mississippi River Alluvial Plains

Comments: ""

Distribution by Potential Natural Vegetation

Oak-Hickory Forest
Oak-Hickory-Pine Forest
Southern Floodplain Forest

Distribution by Natural Divisions of Missouri

Glaciated Plains: Western
Ozark Border: Mississippi River
Ozark: Lower Ozark
Mississippi Lowlands
Mississippi Lowlands: Crowley's Ridge
Mississippi Lowlands: Lowlands

Habitat Associations

Species is associated with "Terrestrial/Aquatic" habitats.

National Wetlands Inventory Association:

Palustrine

Aquatic Associations:

"Palustrine", "Forested, broad-leaved deciduous"
"Palustrine", "Forested, needle-leaved deciduous"

References for Aquatic Associations: 001 , 007

Habitat Types:

Swamp

References for Habitat Types: 004

Terrestrial Natural Communities:

Wetland
Swamps
Swamp
Pond Swamp

References for Terrestrial Natural Communities: 004 , 007

Food Habits

Trophic Level:

"Carnivore"

Larval Food Habits

Comments for larval food habits:
""

References for larval food habits:

Juvenile Food Habits

Juvenile diet similar to adult's; Not Specified

Comments for Juvenile Food Habits:
""

References Juvenile Food Habits 006 , 007

Adult Food Habits

Amphibians; Not Specified
Caudata (salamanders, newts, mudpuppies, sirens); Not Specified

Comments for Adult Food Habits:
""

References Adult Food Habits 006 , 007

Niche Requirements

Egg Niche Requirements

References for egg niches requirements:

Feeding Larvae Niche Requirements

References for feeding larvae niche requirements:

Resting Larvae Niche Requirements

References for resting Larvae niche requirements:

Feeding Juvenile Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: swamp

References for feeding juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 006

Resting Juvenile Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: swamp

References for resting juvenile niche requirements: 001 , 006

Breeding Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: swamp

References for feeding Adult niche requirements: 001 , 006

Feeding Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: swamp

References for feeding adult niche requirements: 001 , 006

Resting Adult Niche Requirements

Inland wetlands: swamp

References for resting adult niche requirements: 001 , 006 , 008

Niche Requirement Summary

Inland wetlands: swamp

Life History Information

Periodicity specified in comments(030)
Origin in state: native
Seasonal distribution in state: all seasons
Closely associated plant or animal species specified in comments(003)
Foraging strategy: stalking
Foraging sites: water
Foraging sites specified in comments(005)
Breeding season specified in comments(007)
Nest/den site: hole in the ground
Nest/den site: log
Gestation/incubation period specified in comments(017)
Clutch/litter size specified in comments(018)
Parental care of young specified in comments(021)

References for life history: 001 , 007 , 010

Management

Beneficial Management Practices:

Water - develop/maintain wetlands
Water - control pollution (thermal, physical, chemical)
Water - develop/maintain submerged brush/timber/debris, etc.
Agricultural - maintain riparian habitats
Forest - maintain riparian habitats

Beneficial Management References: 007

Adverse Managment Practices:

Water - application of herbicides
Water - application of pesticides
Water - application of insecticides
Water - application of fertilizer - organic
Water - application of fertilizer - inorganic
Water - dredging and filling
Water - navigational improvements (channelization, dams, locks)
Water - stream channelization
Water - drainage of wetlands, marshes, ponds, lakes

Adverse Management References: 007

Comments on Management:

References for Management Comments:

References

Reference Code Citation
001 Anderson, P. 1965. The Reptiles Of Missouri. Univ. Missouri Press, Columbia, Mo. 330pp.
002 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Checklist Of Missouri Reptiles. Mo Dept. Of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
003 The Wildlife Code of Missouri. Missouri Department of Conservation, P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102. 573-751-4115.
004 Kelly, G. (Ed.) 1986. Animal Habitat Relations Handbook. Mo Dept. Of Conservation and U.S.D.A. Forest Service. Jefferson City, Mo. 293 Pp.
005 Thom, R.H. and J.H. Wilson. 1980 The Natural Divisions Of Missouri. Trans. Mo Acad. Sci. 14:9-24.
006 Conant, R. 1975. A Field Guide To Reptiles And Amphibians Of Eastern And Central North America, 2nd Ed. Houghton Mifflin Co. Boston 429pp
007 Unpb Johnson, T.R. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. P.O. Box 180 Jefferson City Mo 65102. (573-751-4115)
008 Missouri Dept. Of Conservation and U.S. Forest Service. 1985. Management Of Snags And Cavity Trees In Missouri. Mo Cons. Comm, Jefferson City, Mo. 21 Pp.
009 Unpb Missouri Department of Conservation Heritage Database. P.O. Box 180, Jefferson City, Mo 65102.
010 Johnson, T.R. 2000. The Amphibians And Reptiles Of Missouri, 2nd. Ed. Missouri Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 400 Pp.
011 Missouri Herpetological Association. 1989. Missouri Herpetological Association Newsletter. No. 2.
012 The Checklist Of Rare And Endangered Species Of Missouri. 1991. Mo Dept. Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Mo. 44 Pp.
013 Collins, J.T. (Ed.). 1990. Standard Common And Current Scientifc Names For North American Amphibians And Reptiles, 3rd Ed. Soc. For The Study Of Amphibians and Reptiles, Herp. Cir. No. 19. 41 Pp.
014 Daniel, R.E. and B.S. Edmond. 2002. Revised county distribution maps of amphibians and reptiles of Missouri. MO Herp. Assoc. Newsletter 15:16-38.
015 Missouri Natural Heritage Program. 2004. Missouri Species and Communities of Conservation Concern Checklist. Missouri Department Of Conservation. Jefferson City, Missouri. 47 Pp.
016 Crother, B.I. (Ed.). 2008. Scientific and standard English names of amphibians and reptiles of North America north of Mexico, with comments regarding confidence in our understanding (6th ed.). Society for the study of amphibians and reptiles. Herpetological Circular No. 37.