Rice paddy snake | |
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From Phetchabun Province, western Thailand | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Reptilia |
Order: | Squamata |
Suborder: | Serpentes |
Family: | Homalopsidae |
Genus: | Hypsiscopus |
Species: | H. plumbea |
Binomial name | |
Hypsiscopus plumbea (F. Boie, 1827) | |
Synonyms [2] | |
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The rice paddy snake (Hypsiscopus plumbea), also known as grey water snake, [3] Boie's mud snake, [1] yellow or orange bellied water snake, lead water snake or plumbeous water snake is a species of non - venomous, rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia. [4] [5] It is somewhat common, and is one of the most widespread species of water snake in Asia. [5] [6] [3]
The species epithet, plumbea, means 'lead-like' and refers to the snake's greyish upper body. [3]
DNA evidence suggests that this taxon might be a species complex. [1]
The rice paddy snake is a relatively small snake, reaching a total length (including tail) of up to 72 cm (28 in), although sources vary. [4] This snake feeds readily on small fish, frogs, and occasionally small lizards. It has countershading coloration, which is dark brown to grey in the upper part of its body, and light colored white to yellowish color at the bottom of its body. In some populations, the upper part may be greenish, and dark spots along the vertebral line may also occur. [3] It is mainly nocturnal. [3]
The rice paddy snake is found in the Andaman Islands (India), Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, southern China, and Taiwan. [1] [3] [4]
The rice paddy snake is a common and abundant species associated with a variety of wet habitats. [1]
Different snakes are called water snakes. "Water snake" is also sometimes used as a descriptive term for any snakes that spend a significant time in or near fresh water, such as any species belonging to the family Acrochordidae. They should not be confused with sea snakes, which live primarily or entirely in marine environments.
Boiga dendrophila, commonly called the mangrove snake or the gold-ringed cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged venomous snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to southeast Asia. It is one of the biggest cat snake species, averaging 8–9 feet in length. It is considered mildly venomous. Although moderate envenomations resulting in intense swelling have been reported, there has never been a confirmed fatality.
The Indian egg-eating snake or Indian egg-eater is a rare species of egg-eating snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. It is also called Westermann's snake, reflecting its scientific name. The snake belongs to the monotypic genus Elachistodon.
The mandarin rat snake is a species of nonvenomous colubrid snake endemic to Asia. It is closely related to Euprepiophis conspicillata, the Japanese forest rat snake. Mandarin rat snakes are one of the most popular rat snakes found in the pet trade.
Coelognathus radiatus, commonly known as the radiated ratsnake, copperhead rat snake, or copper-headed trinket snake, is a nonvenomous species of colubrid snake.
Dieurostus is a genus of snake in the family Homalopsidae. The genus Dieurostus is monotypic, containing only the species Dieurostus dussumieri, commonly known as Dussumier's water snake, or the Kerala mud snake. The species, which is mildly venomous and rear-fanged, is endemic to Kerala, in southwestern India. It was formerly thought to be found in Bangladesh, although its distribution there is now disputed.
The rainbow water snake is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged, colubrid snake, endemic to Asia.
Siebold's water snake, also known commonly as Siebold's mud snake and Siebold's smooth water snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Homalopsidae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Rhabdophis plumbicolor, known as the green keelback or lead keelback, is a species of nonvenomous snake in the family Colubridae native to parts of the Indian subcontinent.
The checkered keelback, also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia. It is non-venomous.
The spine-bellied sea snake, also commonly known as Hardwicke's sea snake and Hardwicke's spine-bellied sea snake, is a species of venomous sea snake in the family Elapidae. The species is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean.
Calliophis is a genus of venomous elapid snakes, one of several known commonly as oriental coral snakes or Asian coral snakes.
The Kapuas mud snake is a species of snake in the family Homalopsidae. The species, which is native to Borneo, can change its epidermal colour spontaneously.
Dendrelaphis is a genus of colubrid snakes, distributed from Pakistan, India and southern China to Indonesia, Timor-Leste, the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. There are over forty described species. Asian species are known commonly as bronzebacks, while the Australo-Papuan species are simply called treesnakes. All are non-venomous and entirely harmless to humans.
Boiga drapiezii, commonly known as Drapiez's cat snake and the white-spotted cat snake, is a species of long and slender rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Maritime Southeast Asia and is common throughout its range.
The Chinese water snake, Chinese smooth water snake, Chinese mud snake or Chinese rice paddy snake is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake, endemic to Asia.
The Sind River snake, also known commonly as Chanard's mud snake and Chan-ard's water snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Homalopsidae. The species is endemic to Thailand.
Pseudoxenodon is a genus of snakes in the subfamily Pseudoxenodontinae of the family Colubridae. Species in the genus Pseudoxenodon are native to Southeast Asia.
Hypsiscopus is a genus of snakes of the family Homalopsidae. The name comes from the Greek words Hypsi, meaning high or lofty, and scopus, meaning view, and refers to the location of the eyes, which are set high on the heads of these snakes.
Subsessor is a genus of snake in the family Homalopsidae. The genus is monotypic, containing the sole species Subsessor bocourti. The species is commonly known as Bocourt's mud snake or Bocourt's water snake and has traditionally been placed in the genus Enhydris.