Homalopsidae
Matana Mud Snake
HarmlessHypsiscopus matannensis

The Matana Mud Snake (Hypsiscopus matannensis) is a non-venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family, recorded in 1 country.
- Family
- Homalopsidae
About the Matana Mud Snake
Hypsiscopus matannensis is a species of water snake in the order Squamata. The species epithet refers to its type locality, Lake Matana, in Sulawesi. Its common names are Matana mud or water snake, which also reflects its type locality, and Boulenger's water snake. The species was first described in 1897 by the zoologist George Albert Boulenger.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Matana Mud Snake
- Is the Matana Mud Snake venomous?
- No. The Matana Mud Snake (Hypsiscopus matannensis) 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 Matana Mud Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Matana Mud Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Matana Mud Snake dangerous?
- The Matana Mud Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Matana Mud Snake live?
- The Matana Mud Snake has verified records in 1 country, including Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Homalopsidae snakes
Murphy's Mud SnakeHypsiscopus murphyi
Rice Paddy SnakeHypsiscopus plumbeus
Hypsiscopus wettsteiniHypsiscopus wettsteini
Hypsiscopus indonesiensisHypsiscopus indonesiensis
Southeast Asian BockadamCerberus schneiderii
Puff-faced Water SnakeHomalopsis buccata
Rainbow Mud SnakeEnhydris enhydris
Chinese Water SnakeMyrrophis chinensis
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
- Hypsiscopus
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Hypsiscopus matannensis
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.