Vertebrate fauna of SE Asia
  

 

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Text and photos by Nick Baker, unless otherwise credited.
Copyright © Ecology Asia 2021

 
 
     
   
   

 

   
   
 
Gerard's Water Snake
   
   

Fig 1
 


Fig 2



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family : HOMALOPSIDAE
Species : Gerarda prevostiana
Maximum Size : 53 cm

This unassuming snake inhabits coastal habitats, particularly mangroves, where it feeds on small fish and soft-bodied crabs.

The dorsal surface is generally brown in colour, but sometimes greyish. The lower scale rows and ventral scales are white or pale yellow, as are the labial scales (those lining the lips) and chin. As with other water snakes, such as the Dog-faced Water Snake, the head is barely distinct from the body, and the small eyes are located towards the top of the head. 

It ranges from India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to Burma, Thailand, the Malay Peninsular and Singapore.


Figs 1 and 2 : 25 cm specimen from mangrove habitat, Singapore.  Thanks to Sohan Shetty


References : H1, H3