Sarawak Water Snake

(Amphiesma sarawacensis)

Non-venomous

Description: Length up to 78 cm; slim shape of body with long tale; 1 loreale, 1 preocularia, 3 post-ocularia; 8 supralabialia, the 3-5 or 4-6 are close to the eye; 9 infralabialia; heavily keeled dorsalia in 17 rows; ventralia 136-154; anale split.

Colour: Top olive-brown, darker towards the tale; with dark vertical stripes and two rows of yellowish, reddish or orange spots or lines, particularly the first third of the body; top of head more or less dark spotted, yellowish or reddish, black framed labialia; belly yellowish-white with black vertical stripes, some specimen almost purely black. Offspring brown; top of head dark gray, white labialia with black frame. Environment and behavior: This snake is active at day or dawn time and inhabits fast flowing, clear streams in altitudes above 1000m NN. It feeds preferably on frogs, their larva and fish.

Reproduction: No data available.

Remarks: A. sarawacensis und Rhabdophis chrysargos can be easily mistaken for their similar dorsal colour. The latter can be recognised due to its ventralia which is spotted at the side as well as the 19 dorsal rows.