Cerberus rynchops
Dog faced water snake
Dog faced water snake
Cerberus rynchops, also known as the New Guinea bockadam, South Asian bockadam, bockadam snake, or dog-faced water snake, is a mildly venomous species of a snake in the family Homalopsidae.
The generic name, Cerberus, refers to the dog-like Greek mythological creature Cerberus.
It is native to coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia. The species was re-delimited in 2012, allocating populations east and south of the west coast of Thailand to other species.
The dorsal colour of C. rynchops is greyish brown, and the ventral surface brown with white patches or cream-coloured and mottled. There is a black line from the eye to the neck, and its eyes are located on top of the head, allowing it to maintain vision when half-submerged in the mud.
The species has other physical and behavioural adaptations to its ecological niche, such as nostrils which can be closed by a valve-like structure to exclude water, salt-secreting glands, and the ability to efficiently 'sidewind' across slippery mudflats.
The dog-faced water snake is commonly found in mangroves, mudflats, streams, ponds, tidal pools, on algae patches, and has even been found burrowing into the mud.
It is rear-fanged and is mildly venomous. An aquatic and nocturnal snake, it feeds mainly on fish and is known to consume eels.
Based on the experiment done by Alcock and Rogers (1902), the venom fluid from an adult snake is able to kill small mammals in full dosage.
A new group of snake venom proteins was also identified from this species and more research on the function of the snake venom is still ongoing
(OmPraba et al., 2010).
In captivity, it is observed to move in a sidewinding direction on land. In the BBC series 'Life in Cold Blood' it was filmed adapting this sidewinding technique to jump across a mudflat in Singapore, up until then, no snakes were considered able to truly jump.
It also has a prehensile tail that would suggest it could climb mangrove trees. It is now known to give birth to live young, numbering from 8 to 30, either in water or on land.
It is a quite docile, mild-tempered and a hardy snake, in recent years it has become a welcome addition to snake hobbyists in the Philippines and it also owes its popularity to its bright yellow to orange belly coloring, mostly of females.
In the Philippines, particularly in the Central Visayas area, this snake is commonly known as the "tangkig".
The visibility of upper jaw, giving it a dog-like appearance. Head long and distinct from neck. Eyes small and beady, with rounded pupils. Dorsum dark gray, with faint dark blotches and a dark line along the sides of the head, across the eyes. Center cream with two distinct rows of large, diffuse dark gray spots.
Scales are distinctly keeled. Midbody scale rows 21–25. Ventrals 132–160. Subcaudals 49–72.
The snake's skin are also collected for used in the leather trade for ornamental purposes (Murphy, 2007).
This is a saltwater-tolerant species found in India (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and northwestern Malaysia. The eastern limit of its distribution with Cerberus schneiderii is uncertain.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Cerberus
Species: C. rynchops
Binomial name Cerberus rynchops
(Schneider, 1799)
The generic name, Cerberus, refers to the dog-like Greek mythological creature Cerberus.
It is native to coastal waters of South and Southeast Asia. The species was re-delimited in 2012, allocating populations east and south of the west coast of Thailand to other species.
The dorsal colour of C. rynchops is greyish brown, and the ventral surface brown with white patches or cream-coloured and mottled. There is a black line from the eye to the neck, and its eyes are located on top of the head, allowing it to maintain vision when half-submerged in the mud.
The species has other physical and behavioural adaptations to its ecological niche, such as nostrils which can be closed by a valve-like structure to exclude water, salt-secreting glands, and the ability to efficiently 'sidewind' across slippery mudflats.
The dog-faced water snake is commonly found in mangroves, mudflats, streams, ponds, tidal pools, on algae patches, and has even been found burrowing into the mud.
It is rear-fanged and is mildly venomous. An aquatic and nocturnal snake, it feeds mainly on fish and is known to consume eels.
Based on the experiment done by Alcock and Rogers (1902), the venom fluid from an adult snake is able to kill small mammals in full dosage.
A new group of snake venom proteins was also identified from this species and more research on the function of the snake venom is still ongoing
(OmPraba et al., 2010).
In captivity, it is observed to move in a sidewinding direction on land. In the BBC series 'Life in Cold Blood' it was filmed adapting this sidewinding technique to jump across a mudflat in Singapore, up until then, no snakes were considered able to truly jump.
It also has a prehensile tail that would suggest it could climb mangrove trees. It is now known to give birth to live young, numbering from 8 to 30, either in water or on land.
It is a quite docile, mild-tempered and a hardy snake, in recent years it has become a welcome addition to snake hobbyists in the Philippines and it also owes its popularity to its bright yellow to orange belly coloring, mostly of females.
In the Philippines, particularly in the Central Visayas area, this snake is commonly known as the "tangkig".
The visibility of upper jaw, giving it a dog-like appearance. Head long and distinct from neck. Eyes small and beady, with rounded pupils. Dorsum dark gray, with faint dark blotches and a dark line along the sides of the head, across the eyes. Center cream with two distinct rows of large, diffuse dark gray spots.
Scales are distinctly keeled. Midbody scale rows 21–25. Ventrals 132–160. Subcaudals 49–72.
The snake's skin are also collected for used in the leather trade for ornamental purposes (Murphy, 2007).
This is a saltwater-tolerant species found in India (including Andaman and Nicobar Islands), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and northwestern Malaysia. The eastern limit of its distribution with Cerberus schneiderii is uncertain.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Cerberus
Species: C. rynchops
Binomial name Cerberus rynchops
(Schneider, 1799)
Ahaetulla mycterizans
Big eye green whip snake
Big eye green whip snake
Shot at mandai T7 / 18-10-22
Ahaetulla mycterizans (In Thai: งูเขียวหัวจิ้งจกมลายู (ngu khiaow hua jingjok malayu) common names include Big-eye Green Whip Snake, the Malayan green whipsnake or Malayan vine snake, is a slender arboreal snake found in Western Peninsular Malaysia, Java and Sumatra of Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and possibly Laos up to elevation of 350 m.
The Malayan green whipsnake is diurnal and mildly venomous, it occurs in primary and mature secondary forests near streams, its body colour is generally vivid green, but brown forms also occur.
Diet of A. mycterizans, like other whip snakes, consists primarily of frogs and lizards. These slow moving snakes often appear like vines amongst foliage and are hard to detect.
The anterior part of the body can expand when threatened exposing the dark scales.
It is often confused with the oriental whipsnake (Ahaetulla prasina)
The Malayan whipsnake can be distinguished from the oriental whipsnake by the former having larger eyes, more slender body and the base of flanks lacking a thin yellow line and it does not occur in disturbed areas or parks or gardens, especially in its distributional range of Singapore.
A. mycterizans is also smaller, its maximum size is up to 1 m snout to vent length as compared to the oriental whipsnake which can grow up to 2 m.
Very little is known about the ecology and natural history of this species.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Species: A. mycterizans
Binomial name: Ahaetulla mycterizans
(Linnaeus, 1758)
The Malayan green whipsnake is diurnal and mildly venomous, it occurs in primary and mature secondary forests near streams, its body colour is generally vivid green, but brown forms also occur.
Diet of A. mycterizans, like other whip snakes, consists primarily of frogs and lizards. These slow moving snakes often appear like vines amongst foliage and are hard to detect.
The anterior part of the body can expand when threatened exposing the dark scales.
It is often confused with the oriental whipsnake (Ahaetulla prasina)
The Malayan whipsnake can be distinguished from the oriental whipsnake by the former having larger eyes, more slender body and the base of flanks lacking a thin yellow line and it does not occur in disturbed areas or parks or gardens, especially in its distributional range of Singapore.
A. mycterizans is also smaller, its maximum size is up to 1 m snout to vent length as compared to the oriental whipsnake which can grow up to 2 m.
Very little is known about the ecology and natural history of this species.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Species: A. mycterizans
Binomial name: Ahaetulla mycterizans
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Homalopsis buccata
Puff faced water snake
Puff faced water snake
Homalopsis buccata (puff-faced water snake or masked water snake) is a species of mildly venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family found in tropical areas of Southeast Asia.
Upper labials 1–4 contact single loreal; two prefrontals; 33–40 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, usually reduced to fewer than 30 posteriorly; one postocular plus a postsubocular; 12 (11–14) upper labials; ventral count fewer than 166.
The Puff-faced Water Snake is nocturnal and it inhabits fresh water bodies including swamps, ponds and forest streams.
H. buccata have a banded pattern and usually reach 1 meter (3 feet) in length. They have a somewhat similar body build to the anaconda, but instead of constriction they use a mild venom from a grooved rear fang to subdue prey.
H. buccata ranges from northern Sumatra to Salanga Island, Indonesia and Borneo; it is present on the Malaysian peninsula and in extreme southern Thailand (vicinity of Pattani) and in Singapore.
H. buccata are ovoviviparous, meaning they do not lay eggs but rather give birth to live young. Females give birth to 2-20 live young, with an average of 9.26 young per breeding. Studies have shown this species breeds year round, with a peak season of October–March (though no distinctive breeding season was found)
Juveniles are dark brown to black, with orange, red or pale bands with black-edging. Adults are plain brown or grey in colour, and have less distinctive banding. The belly is whitish, and the body scales are keeled. The species can be easily identified by the patterning on top of the broad head.
H. buccata prey include: tilapia, guppy, catfish, Asian swamp eel, various other small fish, a variety of frogs, freshwater crustaceans.
This snake is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Homalopsis
Kuhl and Hasselt, 1822
Species: H. buccata
Binomial name Homalopsis buccata
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Upper labials 1–4 contact single loreal; two prefrontals; 33–40 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, usually reduced to fewer than 30 posteriorly; one postocular plus a postsubocular; 12 (11–14) upper labials; ventral count fewer than 166.
The Puff-faced Water Snake is nocturnal and it inhabits fresh water bodies including swamps, ponds and forest streams.
H. buccata have a banded pattern and usually reach 1 meter (3 feet) in length. They have a somewhat similar body build to the anaconda, but instead of constriction they use a mild venom from a grooved rear fang to subdue prey.
H. buccata ranges from northern Sumatra to Salanga Island, Indonesia and Borneo; it is present on the Malaysian peninsula and in extreme southern Thailand (vicinity of Pattani) and in Singapore.
H. buccata are ovoviviparous, meaning they do not lay eggs but rather give birth to live young. Females give birth to 2-20 live young, with an average of 9.26 young per breeding. Studies have shown this species breeds year round, with a peak season of October–March (though no distinctive breeding season was found)
Juveniles are dark brown to black, with orange, red or pale bands with black-edging. Adults are plain brown or grey in colour, and have less distinctive banding. The belly is whitish, and the body scales are keeled. The species can be easily identified by the patterning on top of the broad head.
H. buccata prey include: tilapia, guppy, catfish, Asian swamp eel, various other small fish, a variety of frogs, freshwater crustaceans.
This snake is listed as 'Vulnerable' on the Red List of threatened animals of Singapore.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Homalopsidae
Genus: Homalopsis
Kuhl and Hasselt, 1822
Species: H. buccata
Binomial name Homalopsis buccata
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Chrysopelea paradisi
Paradise tree snake
Mildly Venomous
Back-fanged species
Paradise tree snake
Mildly Venomous
Back-fanged species
Paradise tree snake or paradise flying snake, Chrysopelea paradisi, is a species of snake found in southeastern Asia.
The paradise tree snake, Chrysopelea paradisi, is a rear-fanged colubrid. Like other members of the genus Chrysopelea, it is able to glide through the air, and thus, is commonly known as a "flying snake."
Other names include, Paradise Gliding Snake, Paradise Flying Snake, or the Garden Flying Snake.
(In Thai: งูเขียวร่อน, ngu khieow ron)
Flying snakes make an undulatory motion to increase their gliding distance and maintain their balance as they descend. They are the only known limbless vertebrates that glide though the air.
Like all species of its genus Chrysopelea, glide by
stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of 10 meters or more in a glide from the top of a tree.
They are mildly venomous with rear fangs and also can constrict their prey, which consists of mostly lizards and bats.
Although the flying snake does not display visible characteristics that contribute to its ability to glide, there are three aspects that have been studied and found to have great positive effects on this.
Their form of takeoff which is most commonly the anchored J-loop take-off, once airborne their cross sectional body is shaped into a triangle and their bodies use an aerial undulation to maximize the distance traveled.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Chrysopelea
Species: C. paradisi
Binomial name Chrysopelea paradisi
Boie, 1827
The paradise tree snake, Chrysopelea paradisi, is a rear-fanged colubrid. Like other members of the genus Chrysopelea, it is able to glide through the air, and thus, is commonly known as a "flying snake."
Other names include, Paradise Gliding Snake, Paradise Flying Snake, or the Garden Flying Snake.
(In Thai: งูเขียวร่อน, ngu khieow ron)
Flying snakes make an undulatory motion to increase their gliding distance and maintain their balance as they descend. They are the only known limbless vertebrates that glide though the air.
Like all species of its genus Chrysopelea, glide by
stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of 10 meters or more in a glide from the top of a tree.
They are mildly venomous with rear fangs and also can constrict their prey, which consists of mostly lizards and bats.
Although the flying snake does not display visible characteristics that contribute to its ability to glide, there are three aspects that have been studied and found to have great positive effects on this.
Their form of takeoff which is most commonly the anchored J-loop take-off, once airborne their cross sectional body is shaped into a triangle and their bodies use an aerial undulation to maximize the distance traveled.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Chrysopelea
Species: C. paradisi
Binomial name Chrysopelea paradisi
Boie, 1827
Boiga cynodon
Dog-toothed cat snake.
犬齒猫蛇
Mildly venomous
Rear fang speices
Dog-toothed cat snake.
犬齒猫蛇
Mildly venomous
Rear fang speices
Shot at Segar rd carpark next to grass patch 2019.
Boiga cynodon, commonly known as the dog-toothed cat snake, is a nocturnal species of rear-fanged
colubrid snake endemic to Asia.
The Dog-toothed Cat Snake inhabits lowland forests, particularly forest edge, and has adapted well to secondary, disturbed or open habitats. It is both terrestrial and arboreal.
It is a large snake, reaching more than 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft) in total length. The front teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw are strongly enlarged.
The dogtooth Cat snake has a triangular head, much wider than its neck. This can be confused with the head of a viper.
As is typical with the Boiga genus, the head is distinct from the neck, and the body is compressed laterally. The snout is rounded and the eyes large with a vertical pupil.
The body is orange-brown to yellowish-brown, with white-edged irregular dark bars which extend from the neck to the tip of the tail. The bars on the tail are more closely spaced than those on the body.
A few may have extra black melanin pigments, resulting in a black looking snake. However they still have the distinctive thick dark streak behind each eye. Ventrally, its belly varies from whitish to light brown.
An identifying feature is the thick dark stripe behind the eye.
It feeds mainly upon small birds and bird eggs, but may also take lizards and small Bat's. It is considered
as mildly venomous.
Boiga cynodon is an oviparous species, with sexually
mature females laying eggs, 6-12 per clutch.
The species is widespread in the region, occurring in Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and island groups further east in Indonesia including Bali and Nusa Tenggara.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species: B. cynodon
Binomial name Boiga cynodon
(F. Boie, 1827)
colubrid snake endemic to Asia.
The Dog-toothed Cat Snake inhabits lowland forests, particularly forest edge, and has adapted well to secondary, disturbed or open habitats. It is both terrestrial and arboreal.
It is a large snake, reaching more than 2 m (6+1⁄2 ft) in total length. The front teeth of the upper jaw and the lower jaw are strongly enlarged.
The dogtooth Cat snake has a triangular head, much wider than its neck. This can be confused with the head of a viper.
As is typical with the Boiga genus, the head is distinct from the neck, and the body is compressed laterally. The snout is rounded and the eyes large with a vertical pupil.
The body is orange-brown to yellowish-brown, with white-edged irregular dark bars which extend from the neck to the tip of the tail. The bars on the tail are more closely spaced than those on the body.
A few may have extra black melanin pigments, resulting in a black looking snake. However they still have the distinctive thick dark streak behind each eye. Ventrally, its belly varies from whitish to light brown.
An identifying feature is the thick dark stripe behind the eye.
It feeds mainly upon small birds and bird eggs, but may also take lizards and small Bat's. It is considered
as mildly venomous.
Boiga cynodon is an oviparous species, with sexually
mature females laying eggs, 6-12 per clutch.
The species is widespread in the region, occurring in Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Sumatra, Borneo, Java and island groups further east in Indonesia including Bali and Nusa Tenggara.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species: B. cynodon
Binomial name Boiga cynodon
(F. Boie, 1827)
In the world of herpeteculture, the term “morph” refers to any animal that exhibits an external appearance different than the same animal would have in nature. Non-morphs are typically called “normal” or “wild type,” referring to how they normally occur in nature.
A morph, or color phase, happens when animals of the same species regularly develop more than one color.
In biology, polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms, also referred to as alternative phenotypes, in the population of a species.
To be classified as such, morphs must occupy the same habitat at the same time and belong to a panmictic population (one with random mating).
Put simply, polymorphism is when there are two or more possibilities of a trait on a gene.
For example, there is more than one possible trait in terms of a jaguar's skin colouring, they can be light morph or dark morph. Due to having more than one possible variation for this gene, it is termed 'polymorphism'.
However, if the jaguar has only one possible trait for that gene, it would be termed "monomorphic". For example, if there was only one possible skin colour that a jaguar could have, it would be termed monomorphic.
Melanistic animals are animals with an increased amount of the dark pigment melanin in their skin, hair and feathers, etc., giving them a dark appearance.
Melanism is a genetic mutation that occurs in many different types of animals, including mammals, reptiles and insects. Among the best-known melanistic animals are the black leopards and jaguars known as panthers.
Melanism is a disorder that causes an abnormal increase in the production of the dark pigment melanin. It is a phenotype (an observable characteristic) arising from an organism’s genetic makeup. It can be seen as the opposite of albinism (which is a lack of pigment).
Melanin is a chemical produced by cells known as Melanocytes. It is naturally present in an animal’s skin, hair, feathers, scales, etc.
A melanistic individual will appear dark brown or black.
Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and reddish pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albinos.
Varied use and interpretation of the terms mean that written reports of albinistic animals can be difficult to verify.
Albinism can reduce the survivability of an animal, for example, it has been suggested that albino alligators have an average survival span of only 24 hours due to the lack of protection from UV radiation and their lack of camouflage to avoid predators. It is a common misconception that all albino animals have characteristic pink or red eyes (resulting from the lack of pigment in the iris allowing the blood vessels of the retina to be visible), however this is not the case for some forms of albinism. Familiar albino animals include in-bred strains of laboratory animals (rats, mice and rabbits)
Albinism is a well-recognized phenomenon in molluscs, both in the shell and in the soft parts. It has been claimed by some, e.g. that albinism can occur for a number of reasons aside from inheritance, including genetic mutations, diet, living conditions, age, disease, or injury. However, this is contrary to definitions where the condition is inherited.
Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a clearly defined set of seven types of genetic mutations which reduce or completely prevent the synthesis of eumelanin or
pheomelanin, resulting in reduced pigmentation. Type I oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1a) is the form most commonly recognised as 'albino' as this results in a complete absence of melanin in the skin, hair/fur/feathers, and pink pupils, however this has led many to assume that all albinos are pure white with pink pupils, which is not the case.
Albinism is a genetic mutation causing an inability to produce melanin. Albino animals have extremely pale skin, hair, feathers, etc., and often appear completely white.
The lack of pigment in an albino animal’s eye means that blood flowing in the blood vessels in the eye is visible, giving the eye a red color.
In snakes, partial absence of pigment is more common than absolute albinism. For snakes that are usually patterned in colours, they appear as a faint blue, peach or yellowish. In these cases, there has been a genetic mutation in the melanin and pigment delivery.
The appearance comes from the inability for full colours to be present, such as black, red, brown and others. The eyes of an albino snake are typically red or pink. Albino snakes can remain in the sunlight for several hours with minimal harm. Corn snakes and snakes of larger types, such as a boa or diamondback snakes, are the most commonly affected by albinism often appearing to be a pinkish or yellowish colour.
Leucism is a genetic condition that causes a partial lack of pigment in an animal. Leucistic animals may have white patches, or appear paler than other individuals.
Melanistic Animals Are The Opposite Of Albino Animals
While albino animals are mostly white, melanistic animals are dark… and in most cases almost entirely black. The word “melanism” itself is from a Greek word that translates to “black pigment”.
While rare in nature, albino animals are basically found everywhere from the sky to the seas. They have a loss of pigmentation, which results in white or pale fur or skin, especially in relation to other members of their species.
The key difference between the albino animals and the melanistic animals is that albino means loss of pigmentation whereas melanistic means an abundance of pigmentation.
A morph, or color phase, happens when animals of the same species regularly develop more than one color.
In biology, polymorphism is the occurrence of two or more clearly different morphs or forms, also referred to as alternative phenotypes, in the population of a species.
To be classified as such, morphs must occupy the same habitat at the same time and belong to a panmictic population (one with random mating).
Put simply, polymorphism is when there are two or more possibilities of a trait on a gene.
For example, there is more than one possible trait in terms of a jaguar's skin colouring, they can be light morph or dark morph. Due to having more than one possible variation for this gene, it is termed 'polymorphism'.
However, if the jaguar has only one possible trait for that gene, it would be termed "monomorphic". For example, if there was only one possible skin colour that a jaguar could have, it would be termed monomorphic.
Melanistic animals are animals with an increased amount of the dark pigment melanin in their skin, hair and feathers, etc., giving them a dark appearance.
Melanism is a genetic mutation that occurs in many different types of animals, including mammals, reptiles and insects. Among the best-known melanistic animals are the black leopards and jaguars known as panthers.
Melanism is a disorder that causes an abnormal increase in the production of the dark pigment melanin. It is a phenotype (an observable characteristic) arising from an organism’s genetic makeup. It can be seen as the opposite of albinism (which is a lack of pigment).
Melanin is a chemical produced by cells known as Melanocytes. It is naturally present in an animal’s skin, hair, feathers, scales, etc.
A melanistic individual will appear dark brown or black.
Albinism is the congenital absence of melanin in an animal or plant resulting in white hair, feathers, scales and skin and reddish pink or blue eyes. Individuals with the condition are referred to as albinos.
Varied use and interpretation of the terms mean that written reports of albinistic animals can be difficult to verify.
Albinism can reduce the survivability of an animal, for example, it has been suggested that albino alligators have an average survival span of only 24 hours due to the lack of protection from UV radiation and their lack of camouflage to avoid predators. It is a common misconception that all albino animals have characteristic pink or red eyes (resulting from the lack of pigment in the iris allowing the blood vessels of the retina to be visible), however this is not the case for some forms of albinism. Familiar albino animals include in-bred strains of laboratory animals (rats, mice and rabbits)
Albinism is a well-recognized phenomenon in molluscs, both in the shell and in the soft parts. It has been claimed by some, e.g. that albinism can occur for a number of reasons aside from inheritance, including genetic mutations, diet, living conditions, age, disease, or injury. However, this is contrary to definitions where the condition is inherited.
Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a clearly defined set of seven types of genetic mutations which reduce or completely prevent the synthesis of eumelanin or
pheomelanin, resulting in reduced pigmentation. Type I oculocutaneous albinism (OCA1a) is the form most commonly recognised as 'albino' as this results in a complete absence of melanin in the skin, hair/fur/feathers, and pink pupils, however this has led many to assume that all albinos are pure white with pink pupils, which is not the case.
Albinism is a genetic mutation causing an inability to produce melanin. Albino animals have extremely pale skin, hair, feathers, etc., and often appear completely white.
The lack of pigment in an albino animal’s eye means that blood flowing in the blood vessels in the eye is visible, giving the eye a red color.
In snakes, partial absence of pigment is more common than absolute albinism. For snakes that are usually patterned in colours, they appear as a faint blue, peach or yellowish. In these cases, there has been a genetic mutation in the melanin and pigment delivery.
The appearance comes from the inability for full colours to be present, such as black, red, brown and others. The eyes of an albino snake are typically red or pink. Albino snakes can remain in the sunlight for several hours with minimal harm. Corn snakes and snakes of larger types, such as a boa or diamondback snakes, are the most commonly affected by albinism often appearing to be a pinkish or yellowish colour.
Leucism is a genetic condition that causes a partial lack of pigment in an animal. Leucistic animals may have white patches, or appear paler than other individuals.
Melanistic Animals Are The Opposite Of Albino Animals
While albino animals are mostly white, melanistic animals are dark… and in most cases almost entirely black. The word “melanism” itself is from a Greek word that translates to “black pigment”.
While rare in nature, albino animals are basically found everywhere from the sky to the seas. They have a loss of pigmentation, which results in white or pale fur or skin, especially in relation to other members of their species.
The key difference between the albino animals and the melanistic animals is that albino means loss of pigmentation whereas melanistic means an abundance of pigmentation.
Rare dark morph dog toothed cat snake shot at T15
Juvi dog toothed..
Adult dog toothed, Origin colour.
Boiga cynodon
Dog-toothed cat snake.
Boiga cynodon
Dog-toothed cat snake.
Melanistic Boiga cynodon.
Dog-toothed cat snake.
Dog-toothed cat snake.
Boiga cynodon Dark morph
Dog-toothed cat snake
(In Thai: งูแส้หางม้า, ngu sae hang ma)
mildly venomous
Dog-toothed cat snake
(In Thai: งูแส้หางม้า, ngu sae hang ma)
mildly venomous
Ahaetulla prasina
Oriental Whip Snake.
Mildly Venomous
Rear fang speices
Oriental Whip Snake.
Mildly Venomous
Rear fang speices
Ahaetulla prasina is a species of snake in the family Colubridae native to southern Asia. Its common names include Asian vine snake, Boie's whip snake, Gunther's whip snake, Oriental whip snake (Thai: งูเขียวหัวจิ้งจก) .
The Oriental Whip Snake prefers forest edge habitats or their equivalent including parklands, wooded residential areas and rural agricultural areas. It is most commonly encountered whilst sunning itself on secondary growth along the forest edge.
Its body form is extremely slender, though fully-grown adults appear more robust. Adult colouration varies from light brown to dull yellow-green and often a startling fluorescent green.
The species feeds mainly on vertebrates, including small nesting birds, lizards and frogs.
The young are born alive, and are brown with yellow and black flecks. The maximum length for A.prasina is about six feet in total length.
It can be distinguished from the similar, and closely related, forest-dwelling Big-eyed Green Whip Snake on the basis of its smaller eye and, generally, the presence of a thin yellow line along the lower flank, just above the ventral scales.
The species ranges from India to China and throughout Southeast Asia as far east as Sulawesi and the Philippines.
Venom Toxicity: Weak. Although this is considered to be a rear-fanged and venomous snake it is not very dangerous to humans due to it’s non-aggressive nature and weak venom characteristics.
The venom would need to be injected into the wound with time with a chewing motion. Not many people bitten are going to let a snake hang off them for any amount of time. Some do, and they may have severe complications and require hospitalization.
Phylum:Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Species: A. prasina
Binomial name Ahaetulla prasina
(Boie, 1827)
Synonyms
Dryophis prasinus Boie, 1827
The Oriental Whip Snake prefers forest edge habitats or their equivalent including parklands, wooded residential areas and rural agricultural areas. It is most commonly encountered whilst sunning itself on secondary growth along the forest edge.
Its body form is extremely slender, though fully-grown adults appear more robust. Adult colouration varies from light brown to dull yellow-green and often a startling fluorescent green.
The species feeds mainly on vertebrates, including small nesting birds, lizards and frogs.
The young are born alive, and are brown with yellow and black flecks. The maximum length for A.prasina is about six feet in total length.
It can be distinguished from the similar, and closely related, forest-dwelling Big-eyed Green Whip Snake on the basis of its smaller eye and, generally, the presence of a thin yellow line along the lower flank, just above the ventral scales.
The species ranges from India to China and throughout Southeast Asia as far east as Sulawesi and the Philippines.
Venom Toxicity: Weak. Although this is considered to be a rear-fanged and venomous snake it is not very dangerous to humans due to it’s non-aggressive nature and weak venom characteristics.
The venom would need to be injected into the wound with time with a chewing motion. Not many people bitten are going to let a snake hang off them for any amount of time. Some do, and they may have severe complications and require hospitalization.
Phylum:Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Ahaetulla
Species: A. prasina
Binomial name Ahaetulla prasina
(Boie, 1827)
Synonyms
Dryophis prasinus Boie, 1827
Chrysopelea pelias
Twin-barred Tree Snake
Mildly Venomous
Back-fanged species
Twin-barred Tree Snake
Mildly Venomous
Back-fanged species
Shot at Lower Peirce Reservoir broadwalk 2019
The twin-barred tree snake (Chrysopelea pelias) is a species of snake found in Southeast Asia. It is also called the banded flying snake. It can glide, as with all species of its genus Chrysopelea, by stretching the body into a flattened strip using its ribs. It is mostly found in moist forests and can cover a horizontal distance of about 100 metres in a glide from the top of a tree. It is an oviparous snake.
This beautifully patterned snake is rarely seen. It is easily identified by the reddish upper body colour and the black-edged white bars. The flanks are light brown speckled with white, and the ventral surface yellow-white.
As with the Paradise Tree Snake, this species is able to glide considerable distances by inverting its ventral surface and launching itself from the tree tops.
This flying snakes are a small group of species of tree snakes that live in South and Southeast Asia. At rest they appear unremarkable, but on the move they're able to take to the air by jumping from the tree, flattening the entire body, and gliding or parachuting to the ground or another tree.
It is a mildly venomous back-fanged species, with a quiet temperament. The species ranges from southern Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, Riau and Java.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Chrysopelea
Species: C. pelias
Binomial name Chrysopelea pelias
(Linnaeus, 1758)
This beautifully patterned snake is rarely seen. It is easily identified by the reddish upper body colour and the black-edged white bars. The flanks are light brown speckled with white, and the ventral surface yellow-white.
As with the Paradise Tree Snake, this species is able to glide considerable distances by inverting its ventral surface and launching itself from the tree tops.
This flying snakes are a small group of species of tree snakes that live in South and Southeast Asia. At rest they appear unremarkable, but on the move they're able to take to the air by jumping from the tree, flattening the entire body, and gliding or parachuting to the ground or another tree.
It is a mildly venomous back-fanged species, with a quiet temperament. The species ranges from southern Thailand to Malaysia, Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, Riau and Java.
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Chrysopelea
Species: C. pelias
Binomial name Chrysopelea pelias
(Linnaeus, 1758)
Boiga dendrophila
Gold-ringed cat snake
Mildly Venomous
Rear-fanged species
Gold-ringed cat snake
Mildly Venomous
Rear-fanged species
Shot at Windsor nature park on 12-10-19.
Suspected retained eye caps for this above Gold ringed cat snake, had informed acres to rescue and it was picked up on the following day.
Boiga dendrophila, commonly called the mangrove snake or the gold-ringed cat snake, is a species of rear-fanged snake in the family Colubridae.
The species is endemic to southeast Asia.
It is one of the biggest cat snake species, averaging 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) in length.
Mostly nocturnal, B. dendrophila is a potentially aggressive snake. Even captive bred specimens can be nervous and may strike repeatedly.
Although many specimens will calm down and allow handling, it is normally easily stressed and may refuse food for extended periods of time if disturbed. Handling, of course, should involve safety precautions for the handler, due to the snake's nervous nature and the fact that a bite can cause pain and injury.
Despite one of its common names, mangrove snake,
B.dendrophila is found more often in lowland rainforests than in the mangrove swamps from which its common name is derived, it feeds on reptiles, birds, and small mammals in the willd.
It is considered mildy venomous. Although moderate envenomations resulting in intense swelling have been reported, there has never been a confirmed fatality.
The venom of B.dendrophila is not considered life-threatening to humans, and it has been kept as a pet..
In common with other colubrids, mangrove snakes have a Duvernoy's gland on the posterior end of the eye with a duct that connects to the rear fangs.
The snake needs to chew in order to release the venom, which is released gradually. The venom of the mangrove cat snake is weak, the fangs in the rear are not large, and it is difficult for the snake to open its mouth wide enough to sink the fangs into a human leg or arm; as of 2016, there are no confirmed fatalities.
Denmotoxin is a three-finger toxin that has been identified in the venom of mangrove cat snakes, and is the first fully characterized bird-specific toxin.
Although envenomation of humans is mild, visually, because of the alternation of black and yellow crossbands and triangular body cross section, the mangrove cat snake can be confused with the banded krait, which is extremely venomous.
Mangrove snakes are egg layers that produce modest clutches of 4–12 eggs
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species: B. dendrophila
Binomial name Boiga dendrophila
(F. Boie, 1827)
The species is endemic to southeast Asia.
It is one of the biggest cat snake species, averaging 6–8 feet (1.8–2.4 m) in length.
Mostly nocturnal, B. dendrophila is a potentially aggressive snake. Even captive bred specimens can be nervous and may strike repeatedly.
Although many specimens will calm down and allow handling, it is normally easily stressed and may refuse food for extended periods of time if disturbed. Handling, of course, should involve safety precautions for the handler, due to the snake's nervous nature and the fact that a bite can cause pain and injury.
Despite one of its common names, mangrove snake,
B.dendrophila is found more often in lowland rainforests than in the mangrove swamps from which its common name is derived, it feeds on reptiles, birds, and small mammals in the willd.
It is considered mildy venomous. Although moderate envenomations resulting in intense swelling have been reported, there has never been a confirmed fatality.
The venom of B.dendrophila is not considered life-threatening to humans, and it has been kept as a pet..
In common with other colubrids, mangrove snakes have a Duvernoy's gland on the posterior end of the eye with a duct that connects to the rear fangs.
The snake needs to chew in order to release the venom, which is released gradually. The venom of the mangrove cat snake is weak, the fangs in the rear are not large, and it is difficult for the snake to open its mouth wide enough to sink the fangs into a human leg or arm; as of 2016, there are no confirmed fatalities.
Denmotoxin is a three-finger toxin that has been identified in the venom of mangrove cat snakes, and is the first fully characterized bird-specific toxin.
Although envenomation of humans is mild, visually, because of the alternation of black and yellow crossbands and triangular body cross section, the mangrove cat snake can be confused with the banded krait, which is extremely venomous.
Mangrove snakes are egg layers that produce modest clutches of 4–12 eggs
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Colubridae
Genus: Boiga
Species: B. dendrophila
Binomial name Boiga dendrophila
(F. Boie, 1827)
Signs of snake shedding ...
Cloudy eyes during snake shedding.
Snakes gets cloudy eyes while shedding. This is a normal part of the scales over the eyes sloughing off with the rest of the skin. Cloudy eyes are only a problem if they remain after the rest of the skin is completely shed.
When the scales over the eyes do not come off, the snake has retained eye caps. The eye cap is a thick piece of skin that covers the snake’s eye to keep moisture in and dirt out. Just like the rest of the snake’s body creates a new layer of skin, so do the eyes, and that means the older layer needs to go.
What you should do about retained eye caps.
Whatever you do, don’t get rough with the snake’s eyes. Be gentle, and do not try to use any sharp objects or tweezers to pull off the eye caps or surrounding skin, take the snake to an experienced reptile veterinarian to prevent damage from removal, or infection from retained eye caps.
To prevent retained eye caps in the first place, be sure the surrounding provide enough humidity in the snake’s habitat.
An overly dry environment will makes it more difficult for a snake to shed its skin. If the snake already has retained eye caps during a shed providing extra moisture to the skin can help.
You can also try wrapping scotch tape around your finger, sticky side out, and VERY GENTLY touching the tape to the corner of the eye closest to the nose. Then carefully rock the tape across the eye, back towards the other corner. The eye cap should come up with the tape.
Other possible causes for cloudy snake eyes....
Occasionally, cloudy eyes are caused by something other than normal shedding or retained eye caps.
Blocked nasolacrimal duct, the nasolacrimal ducts are where snake’s excess tears drain into the mouth (similar to how our excess tears drain into the nasal passages and into the nose). If the ducts develope a blockage, excess tears cannot drain and instead fill up the eye cap, which distends and looks swollen. The distended eye cap may also appear cloudy.
Infection
Another cause behind cloudy, swollen eyes is infection. The infection could result from complications of blocked nasolacrimal ducts, or other eye problems that cause fluid buildup and swelling. Blocked ducts and infections must be treated by a vet.
If you’re not sure whether the snake has a retained eye cap or a more serious problem call acres for the rescue.
Snakes gets cloudy eyes while shedding. This is a normal part of the scales over the eyes sloughing off with the rest of the skin. Cloudy eyes are only a problem if they remain after the rest of the skin is completely shed.
When the scales over the eyes do not come off, the snake has retained eye caps. The eye cap is a thick piece of skin that covers the snake’s eye to keep moisture in and dirt out. Just like the rest of the snake’s body creates a new layer of skin, so do the eyes, and that means the older layer needs to go.
What you should do about retained eye caps.
Whatever you do, don’t get rough with the snake’s eyes. Be gentle, and do not try to use any sharp objects or tweezers to pull off the eye caps or surrounding skin, take the snake to an experienced reptile veterinarian to prevent damage from removal, or infection from retained eye caps.
To prevent retained eye caps in the first place, be sure the surrounding provide enough humidity in the snake’s habitat.
An overly dry environment will makes it more difficult for a snake to shed its skin. If the snake already has retained eye caps during a shed providing extra moisture to the skin can help.
You can also try wrapping scotch tape around your finger, sticky side out, and VERY GENTLY touching the tape to the corner of the eye closest to the nose. Then carefully rock the tape across the eye, back towards the other corner. The eye cap should come up with the tape.
Other possible causes for cloudy snake eyes....
Occasionally, cloudy eyes are caused by something other than normal shedding or retained eye caps.
Blocked nasolacrimal duct, the nasolacrimal ducts are where snake’s excess tears drain into the mouth (similar to how our excess tears drain into the nasal passages and into the nose). If the ducts develope a blockage, excess tears cannot drain and instead fill up the eye cap, which distends and looks swollen. The distended eye cap may also appear cloudy.
Infection
Another cause behind cloudy, swollen eyes is infection. The infection could result from complications of blocked nasolacrimal ducts, or other eye problems that cause fluid buildup and swelling. Blocked ducts and infections must be treated by a vet.
If you’re not sure whether the snake has a retained eye cap or a more serious problem call acres for the rescue.