Homalopsidae
Kerala Mud Snake
HarmlessDieurostus dussumieri




4 photographs of the Kerala Mud Snake. © renjus box.
The Kerala Mud Snake (Dieurostus dussumieri) is a non-venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Homalopsidae
About the Kerala Mud Snake
Dieurostus is a genus of snake in the family Homalopsidae. The genus Dieurostus is monotypic, containing only the species Dieurostus dussumieri, commonly known as Dussumier's water snake, or the Kerala mud snake. The species, which is mildly venomous and rear-fanged, is endemic to Kerala, in southwestern India. It was formerly thought to be found in Bangladesh, although its distribution there is now disputed.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Kerala Mud Snake
- Is the Kerala Mud Snake venomous?
- No. The Kerala Mud Snake (Dieurostus dussumieri) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
- Is the Kerala Mud Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Kerala Mud Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Kerala Mud Snake dangerous?
- The Kerala Mud Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Kerala Mud Snake live?
- The Kerala Mud Snake has verified records in 1 country, including India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Homalopsidae snakes
Southeast Asian BockadamCerberus schneiderii
Puff-faced Water SnakeHomalopsis buccata
Rainbow Mud SnakeEnhydris enhydris
Murphy's Mud SnakeHypsiscopus murphyi
Rice Paddy SnakeHypsiscopus plumbeus
Chinese Water SnakeMyrrophis chinensis
Jack's Water SnakeHomalopsis mereljcoxi
White-bellied Mangrove SnakeFordonia leucobalia
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
- OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards
- Squamata
- FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits
- Homalopsidae
- GenusA close-knit group of very similar species
- Dieurostus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Dieurostus dussumieri
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.