Dog-Faced Water Snake

Dog-Faced Water Snake Latest News

A dog-faced water snake (Cerberus rynchops) has been recorded for the first time in Northeast India, far from its known coastal habitat.

About Dog-Faced Water Snake

• It is a rear-fanged, mildly venomous, semi-aquatic snake. 
• It belongs to the family Homalopsidae, which refers to Indo-Australian rear-fanged water snakes.
• Scientific Name: Cerberus rynchops
• Distribution: 
  • It typically resides in mangroves, coastal mudflats, and , and estuarine habitats throughout Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
  • In India, it has been recorded in coastal regions such as Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• They spend the majority of their life in some type of water. Salt glands are what allow them to live in marine environments because they can expel salt through them in order to survive.
• The species hunts fish and crustaceans in shallow waters employing a ‘sit-and-wait’ strategy to ambush prey. 

Dog-Faced Water Snake Features

• They can grow to about 1m long.
• They are characterized by a wide head and snout, which is where the epithet “dog-faced water snake” comes from.
• They are striped and dark brown with a white underbelly.
• The snake is adapted for slow-moving, shallow, and murky waters. 
• It can swim well. On soft mud, it moves quickly by sidewinding. 

Dog-Faced Water Snake Conservation Status

It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List. 

Dog-Faced Water Snake FAQs

Q1. What is the scientific name of the Dog-Faced Water Snake?

Ans. Cerberus rynchops

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Q2. Where is the Dog-Faced Water Snake commonly found?

Ans. Mangroves, coastal mudflats, and estuaries

Q3. What is the conservation status of the Dog-Faced Water Snake according to the IUCN Red List?

Ans. Least Concern

Source: TH