no photo — written note
AnimalsSensitive species
A shiny black swamp snake with a red-and-black chequered belly, feeding on eel-like Lesser Sirens.
Field facts
HabitatCypress swamps and sloughs
RangeExtreme southwestern Indiana
When to lookMay to September
StatusState endangered (Indiana DNR / IUCN Red List)
Look-alikesWatersnakes — banded, dull
Field note: The sharp tail tip earned it the old name hoop snake, though it is harmless.
Lesson
Watching responsibly
Do not disturb; report any sighting to Indiana DNR.
This species is treated as sensitive: locations are generalised to county level and never routed to directly.
Your records
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