The species name of the dog faced water snake is Cerberus rhynchops. Its frontals are partially and parietals are entirely broken up. It’s a stout, rough-skinned snake with pear-shaped head. Its eyes are small and pupils are vertical.
It is dark grey in color with numerous ill-defined darker crossbars. Its belly is coarsely spotted or dappled with greenish black. It is an inoffensive reptile and bites only under serious provocation. Under great excitement it emits an unpleasant odor. It feeds exclusively on fish.