Boie's Rough-Sided Snake

  

Scientific Name: Xenochrophis boiei

Family: Colubridae (A large family of non-venomous and mildly venomous snakes)

Common Name(s): Boie's Rough-Sided Snake, Boie's Water Snake, Boie's Rough-scaled Water Snake

Overview:

Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is a semi-aquatic species found primarily in freshwater habitats across parts of India and Sri Lanka. It is a relatively harmless, non-venomous snake known for its rough, keeled scales and slender body. While the species is somewhat elusive and not often encountered, it plays an important role in controlling populations of small fish and invertebrates in its aquatic environment.

Physical Description:

• Size: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake typically ranges in size from 50 cm to 1 meter (about 20 inches to 3.3 feet). It is a moderately sized species, but some individuals can reach slightly longer lengths.
• Coloration: The body of Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is usually a dark olive-brown, gray, or dark green, often with light or pale yellowish markings along the sides. The belly is typically lighter in color, usually appearing pale, cream, or yellowish.
• Scales: The snake's body is covered in keeled, rough scales, which give it a distinct textured appearance. These rough scales are thought to aid the snake in moving through water and on wet, slippery surfaces.
• Head: The head is small, slightly flattened, and pointed, which helps the snake move through water and under vegetation more efficiently. It has large eyes that help it spot prey in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
• Tail: The tail is slender and slightly elongated, which aids in swimming.

Habitat and Distribution:

• Geographical Range: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is found in South and Southeast Asia, specifically in India and Sri Lanka. The species is common in the lowland and midland areas of these regions.
• Habitat: The snake inhabits freshwater environments, such as streams, rivers, ponds, and marshes. It prefers vegetated areas with dense aquatic plants, where it can find shelter and prey.
• Semi-Aquatic Lifestyle: Like other species in the Xenochrophis genus, Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is semi-aquatic, spending significant time both in and around water. It is often found basking on banks or among vegetation near water but can also swim efficiently.

Behavior and Diet:

• Feeding: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is carnivorous, primarily feeding on small fish, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, and frogs. It uses its keen senses to locate prey in the water, often hunting during the early morning or late afternoon when it is most active.
• Venom: This species is non-venomous, though it does possess mildly toxic saliva used to subdue smaller prey. However, the venom is harmless to humans and is not considered a threat.
• Behavior: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is typically shy and reclusive, avoiding human contact whenever possible. When threatened, it will often retreat into the water or seek refuge in dense vegetation. It may occasionally be observed basking or foraging along the water's edge.
• Swimming: The snake is an adept swimmer, with its slender body and laterally compressed tail helping it navigate through water efficiently.

Reproduction:

• Oviparous: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is oviparous, meaning it lays eggs. The female usually lays a small clutch of 2 to 6 eggs in a moist, hidden location, such as under vegetation, rocks, or within burrows along the water’s edge.
• Eggs and Hatchlings: The eggs incubate for several weeks before hatching. Upon hatching, the young are fully independent and capable of swimming and hunting immediately. The juveniles are often similar in appearance to adults but are smaller in size.

Conservation Status:

• Status: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is not currently listed as endangered or threatened. However, like many other species that rely on freshwater habitats, it is potentially vulnerable to habitat degradation and pollution.
• Threats: The main threats to Boie's Rough-Sided Snake include habitat loss, water pollution, agricultural runoff, and human encroachment near its freshwater habitats. In some areas, damming and land reclamation projects could impact its natural environment.
• Conservation Efforts: Conservation of freshwater ecosystems and wetlands is critical to preserving the species. Efforts to reduce pollution, protect water sources, and regulate human activities around freshwater habitats will be essential to ensure the long-term survival of Boie's Rough-Sided Snake.

Interesting Facts:

• Rough Scales: The keeled, rough scales of Boie's Rough-Sided Snake are a distinctive feature of the species. These scales help the snake in its semi-aquatic lifestyle, aiding in movement across wet surfaces and water.
• Semi-Aquatic Habits: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is highly adapted to both aquatic and terrestrial environments, spending much of its time near water and feeding on aquatic organisms.
• Non-Venomous: Although Boie’s Rough-Sided Snake has mildly toxic saliva to subdue prey, it is non-venomous and harmless to humans.
• Reclusive Nature: Like many water snakes, Boie’s Rough-Sided Snake is shy and typically avoids human interaction. It prefers to remain hidden in vegetation or retreat into the water when disturbed.

How to Identify Müller’s Shieldtail:

• Rough Scales: The keeled, rough texture of the snake’s scales is a distinctive feature that sets it apart from other water snakes.
• Coloration: The body is usually dark olive-brown or gray, with lighter yellowish or cream-colored markings along the sides. The belly is pale.
• Head Shape: The snake has a small, pointed head and large eyes, aiding in its ability to spot prey in both aquatic and terrestrial environments.
• Semi-Aquatic Behavior: Boie's Rough-Sided Snake is often seen basking along water edges or swimming in freshwater habitats. Its slender body and pointed head make it easy to identify in the wild.