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Dog-faced
watersnake
Cerberus rynchops
Family Colubridae
Although
quite common in our mangroves, the Dog-faced water snake is shy and
blends in with the mud and the leaf litter. It is more active at night
and are usually stays well hidden during the day.
Made for mud and water: The
snake is adapted for slow-moving, shallow and murky waters. It can
swim well. On soft mud, it moves quickly by side-winding. Although
it very much at home in the water, it still needs to breathe air.
Its eyes and nostrils are at the top of the head so it can peep out
of the water and breathe while most of its body remains hidden in
the murky water. The snake is mildly venomous but is usually docile.
Why 'dog-faced'? It is said that
it got its common name for its protruding eyes, which is rather unusual
for a snake. Whether this makes the snake look dog-like is somewhat
debatable.
Dog food: As soon as the
sun sets, Dog-faced watersnakes come out to hunt. The snake might
lie motionless among a tangle of roots, its body in S-shapes, ready
to strike out at any suitable prey that wanders nearby. Or it might
move about slowly among the mangrove roots, checking out burrows and
bolt-holes to see if there is something tasty hiding there. They seem
particularly fond of small fishes. The prey is swallowed whole.
Dog-faced babies: The Dog-faced
watersnake does not lay eggs and instead, gives birth to live young.
Sometimes, tiny baby watersnakes might be seen.
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quick
facts
About 1m long, common in the mangroves but seldom seen during
the day |
