Chinese water snake

Species of snake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Chinese water snake, Chinese smooth water snake, Chinese mud snake or Chinese rice paddy snake (Enhydris chinensis or Myrrophis chinensis) is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake, endemic to Asia.

Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Serpentes
Quick facts Conservation status, Scientific classification ...
Chinese water snake
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Enhydris
Species:
E. chinensis
Binomial name
Enhydris chinensis
(Gray, 1842)
Synonyms
  • Hypsirhina chinensis
    Gray, 1842
  • Enhydris chinensis
    — M.A. Smith, 1943
  • Myrrophis chinensis
    — Kumar et al., 2012[2]
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Geographic range

Enhydris chinensis is found in China, Taiwan, and Vietnam.[2]

Habitat

As the common name suggests, the Chinese water snake is a highly aquatic species, adapting well to human-altered environments such as fish pools and rice paddies.[1]

Conservation status

Enhydris chinensis is considered common,[1] although it has declined in Taiwan and is protected there.[3]

Description

Enhydris chinensis is a relatively small snake reaching total length (including tail) of up to 80 cm (31 in).[3]

Diet

The Chinese water snake typically feeds on fish and amphibians.[3]

Commercial use

Enhydris chinensis are harvested for food and skins, but this is not considered to be threatening its populations.[1]

Medicinal use

Enhydris chinensis is used in folk medicine.[4] It is commonly used in the production of Chinese snake oil.[5]

References

Further reading

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