Tuesday, September 1, 2009

SCHNEIDER’S SMOOTH WATER SNAKE


Local Names: Telugu Multo Pam, Ally pam.

The Schneider’s Smooth Water Snake is a smooth, glossy, moderately thick snake with rounded snout and rather long muzzle. Its transverse slit like nostrils are placed on top of the head. Its eyes are small and are placed high on the face. Its iris is dotted with golden specks and pupils are vertically elliptic.

The Schneider’s Smooth Water Snake is olivaceous-green or brown above. Its belly is lemon yellow in color. A dark line demarcates its ventrals laterally. It is an aquatic species frequenting fresh and brackish water. It’s a timid and inoffensive snake not known to bite when handled. The Schneider’s Smooth Water Snake feeds mainly on fish.