Tentacle snake
The Tentacled snake (Erpeton tentaculatum) is a rear-fanged mildly venomous aquatic snake native to Southeast Asia. The two tentacles this species has on its snout are a unique feature among snakes.
Tentacled snakes are relatively small snakes. They are known to come in two color phases, striped or blotched, with both phases ranging from dark gray or brown to light tan. It is the only species of snake to possess twin "tentacles" on the front of its head, which have been shown to have mechanosensory function. Although it does have venomous fangs, the Tentacled snake is not considered dangerous to humans. The fangs are small, only partially grooved, and positioned deep in the rear of the mouth. The venom is specific to the fish that the tentacled snake eats.
Tentacled snakes can be found in Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. They live their entire life in the murky water of lakes, rivers, rice paddies, and slow-moving streams, and can be found in fresh, brackish, and seawater.
Tentacled snakes spend their whole life in the water and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes without coming up for air. They can only move awkwardly on land. In dry times and at night, they may burrow themselves in the mud. Tentacled snakes hunt their prey using a unique ambush method. They spend much of their time in a rigid posture. The tail is used to anchor the animal underwater while its body assumes a distinctive upside-down "J" shape. The snake will keep this shape even when grabbed or moved by a person, an apparent freeze response. The striking range is a narrow area downwards from its head, somewhat towards its body. Once a fish swims within that area the snake will strike by pulling itself down in one quick motion towards the prey. Tentacled snakes catch fish by tricking them into reflexively attempting to escape in the wrong direction. Unlike most predators, the snake doesn't aim for the fish's initial position and then adjust its direction as the fish moves, it heads directly for the location where it expects the fish's head to be. The ability to predict the position of its prey appears to be innate and when it begins to strike, the Tentacled snake retracts its eyes.
Tentacled snakes are carnivores (piscivores) and their diet consists solely of fish.
Little is known about the mating system and reproductive behavior of Tentacled snakes. Females are ovoviviparous and give birth to live young underwater.
Tentacled snakes are not considered threatened at present. Locally they are collected for the illegal pet trade, particularly in the Tonlé Sap lake in central Cambodia.
According to the IUCN Red List, the Tentacled snake is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
