I well remember the one and only time about 15 years ago I came across an eastern mud snake of the same genus. I was doing some early April pre-season turkey scouting when I ran across an adult mud snake that was feeding on some tadpoles at the edge of a large mud puddle on a flooded logging road in Surry County, VA ...strikingly beautiful snake w/very glossy, vivid markings ...must've just shed its skin!
Link to eastern mud snake (Farancia abacura abacura):
http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/wildlife/species/photos/030025-1.jpg
Wow!
Gorgeous snake.