Erpeton tentaculatum

(Lacepède, 1800)

Vernacular names

English : Tentacled snake
French : Serpent à tentacules

Classification

Class : Reptilia
Order : Squamata
Family : Homalopsidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification

The species can reach up to 90 cm in length. Unmistakable with its two tentacles which have mechanosensory function and are placed above mouth. Coloration is brown with either dark and clear longitudinal bands or transversal bands.

Range and habitat

This species occurs in South-east Asia and can be found in southern Vietnam, Cambodia and most of eastern and central Thailand. Lives in slow-moving and stagnant water areas with lots of aquatic vegetation.

Conservation

IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not listed
Status : The species is reasonably common in most of its range but could be vulnerable to water pollution and over-collection for food and medicine.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation