The Dog-Faced Water Snake Cereberus rynchops is one of a number of snakes named after a mammal, like others such as cat snake, wolf snakes, rat snake etc. but totally different in appearance and habitat. This mildly- venomous reptilian dog is that it is found on paddy fields of both marine and fresh water, so you can encounter this snake in mangroves as well as in coastal areas.

In India this species is found in all coasts on the mainland, and also found in both the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Coasts of Gujarat are its western most limits. These snakes can be identified by their brownish dorsal surface marked with darker bands or blotches and the scales of these snakes are very rough and keeled. The maximum length of these snakes is 100cm and it is viviparous by nature, the female giving live birth to 6-30 young ones.

The dog-faced water snake usually feeds on fish and frogs but interestingly eels are one of its favorite meals. I have been lucky to find this snake a couple of times, but I am eagerly waiting to witness this snake hunting and feeding on an eel in its natural habitat.

Photo: Saleel Gharpure