Tentacled Snake
Erpeton tentaculatum
A fully aquatic Southeast Asian snake with two unique fleshy tentacles on its snout used to detect fish.
- Venomous?
- Mildly venomous
- Adult length
- 50-90 cm (20-35 in)
- Range
- Southeast Asia
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Overview
The Tentacled Snake is a highly unusual, fully aquatic snake from Southeast Asia, unique among all snakes for possessing a pair of small, fleshy tentacles on its snout. These sensory structures help it detect the movement of fish in murky water, aiding its ambush hunting strategy.
It is rear-fanged and mildly venomous, adapted for subduing fish, and is not considered a threat to humans due to its purely aquatic lifestyle and reluctance to bite.
How to identify it
- Fully aquatic body with rough, keeled scales aiding grip on prey
- Brownish-gray coloration, often mottled, providing camouflage in murky water
- Two distinctive short, fleshy tentacles on the tip of the snout, unique among snakes
- Eyes positioned high on the head for surface observation while submerged
- Adult length typically 50-90 cm (20-35 in)
Habitat & range
Inhabits slow-moving, murky freshwater bodies such as ponds, canals, and flooded rice paddies throughout Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Almost never leaves the water voluntarily.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Fully aquatic and largely nocturnal, using an ambush strategy where it forms a J-shaped body posture and strikes at fish using an anticipatory reflex triggered by the fish's escape response. Feeds exclusively on fish. Reproduction is viviparous, with females giving birth to live young underwater.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tentacled Snake venomous?
It is mildly venomous with rear fangs, but poses little threat to humans.
What are the tentacles used for?
The paired snout tentacles help detect the movement of fish in murky water.
Where is it found?
It occurs in freshwater habitats throughout Southeast Asia.
Does it ever leave the water?
No, it is fully aquatic and almost never leaves the water voluntarily.
Tentacled Snake guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Tentacled Snake.
