Description

Brownish-black on top. Pale below.

Similar species

Taxonomic notes

Pseudoferania has been resurrected as the genus for this species1 - Murphy, John C. (2011). The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236., as it has been shown that this species is only distantly related to the south-east Asian Enhydris2 - Alfaro et al. (2008). Phylogeny, evolutionary history, and biogeography of Oriental-Australian rear-fanged water snakes (Colubroidea: Homalopsidae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 46(2):576-593..

Scale count information

Dorsal scales at midbody		21 to 23
Ventrals		140 to 165 with a divided anal scale
Subcaudals		35 to 50 and are divided
Other scale information		Nasal scales in contact.
Danger rating		Weakly venomous. Small fangs at back of mouth, but large specimens should be treated with caution. Note: even a bite from a 'virtually harmless' or non-venomous reptile can result in serious complications. Play it safe and don't get bitten by anything.

Range

North Queensland across to the top end of the Northern Territory. Also in New Guinea.

Found in the following Australian states/territories

Northern Territory, Queensland

Habitat

Creeks, swamps and lagoons, especially those lined with thick vegetation.

Recorded from the following parks/reserves

• Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park - Queensland
• Mungkan Kandju National Park - Queensland

The following sources may have been consulted when the above list was compiled:

• Environmental Protection Agency (2008). Wildlife Online (Database). Environmental Protection Agency, Brisbane. Available: http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/wildlife-ecosystems/wildlife/wildlife_online/index.html Accessed: 28 March 2007

Natural history

Diet

Fish, frogs, crustaceans.

Conservation status

This species does not appear to be listed as of conservation concern.

General threats

General threats to reptiles, and indeed all native wildlife, include:

• habitat loss from land clearing - it is estimated that between 1997 and 1999 in Queensland, 89 million reptiles were killed each year due to land clearing (Cogger et al. 2003) Impacts of Land Clearing on Australian Wildlife in Queensland.
• habitat degradation by introduced species such as cattle and rabbits - do your bit: eat roo not beef!
• habitat modification caused by global climate change
• death on roads
• feral predators such as dogs, cats, pigs and foxes
• the introduced cane toad
• emerging diseases

Note: these are general threats and may not apply to this particular species.

How you can help

There are many ways you can help our reptiles. Here are my top three suggestions:

1. donate to a habitat restoration organisation
2. ensure your carbon footprint is as small as possible
3. donate to another habitat restoration organisation

References

1. Murphy, John C. (2011). The nomenclature and systematics of some Australasian Homalopsid snakes (Squamata: Serpentes: Homalopsidae). The Raffles Bulletin of Zoology, 59(2):229-236. - search web for this article
2. Alfaro, M.E.; Karns, D.R.; Voris, H.K.; Brock, C.D.; & Stuart, B.L. (2008). Phylogeny, evolutionary history, and biogeography of Oriental-Australian rear-fanged water snakes (Colubroidea: Homalopsidae) inferred from mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 46(2):576-593. - search web for this article

 

Additional links

Note: the links below are automatically generated. Some may not take you to useful information.

• Google searches - web | images | scholar
• Search The University of Michigan's Animal Diversity Web
• Search Wikipedia for Enhydris polylepis
• Macleay's water snake at The TIGR Reptile Database