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Homalopsidae

Puff-faced Water Snake

Harmless

Homalopsis buccata

Puff-faced Water Snake
Homalopsis buccata, © Teguh
Puff-faced Water SnakePuff-faced Water SnakePuff-faced Water SnakePuff-faced Water SnakePuff-faced Water Snake

6 photographs of the Puff-faced Water Snake. © Teguh.

The Puff-faced Water Snake (Homalopsis buccata) is a non-venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family, recorded in 12 countries.

Family
Homalopsidae

About the Puff-faced Water Snake

Homalopsis buccata (puff-faced water snake or masked water snake) is a species of mildly venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family found in tropical areas of Southeast Asia.

Description

Upper labials 1–4 contact single loreal; two prefrontals; 33–40 dorsal scale rows at mid-body, usually reduced to fewer than 30 posteriorly; one postocular plus a postsubocular; 12 (11–14) upper labials; ventral count fewer than 166.

Homalopsis buccata has a banded pattern and usually reaches 1 meter (3 feet) in length. They have a somewhat similar body build to the anaconda, but instead of constriction they use a mild venom from a grooved rear fang to subdue prey.

Distribution

H. buccata ranges from northern Sumatra to Salanga Island, Indonesia and Borneo; it is present on the Malaysian peninsula and in extreme southern Thailand (vicinity of Pattani).

Reproduction

H. buccata are ovoviviparous, meaning they do not lay eggs but rather give birth to live young. Females give birth to 2-20 live young, with an average of 9.26 young per breeding. Studies have shown this species breeds year round, with a peak season of October–March (though no distinctive breeding season was found).

Diet

H. buccata prey are said to include: tilapia, guppy, catfish, Asian swamp eel, various other small fish, a variety of frogs, freshwater crustaceans.

In captivity, the species feeds readily on minnows, goldfish, various cichlid fish, tilapia, Mollies (Poecilia), and tadpoles.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Puff-faced Water Snake

Is the Puff-faced Water Snake venomous?
No. The Puff-faced Water Snake (Homalopsis buccata) 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 Puff-faced Water Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Puff-faced Water Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Puff-faced Water Snake dangerous?
The Puff-faced Water Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Puff-faced Water Snake live?
The Puff-faced Water Snake has verified records in 12 countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Puff-faced Water Snake eat?
H. buccata prey are said to include: tilapia, guppy, catfish, Asian swamp eel, various other small fish, a variety of frogs, freshwater crustaceans. In captivity, the species feeds readily on minnows, goldfish, various cichlid fish, tilapia, Mollies (Poecilia), and tadpoles.

Where it is found

IndonesiaThailandMyanmarMalaysiaSingaporeCambodiaViet NamIndiaChinaCongo, Democratic Republic of theAngolaSouth Africa

More Homalopsidae snakes

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
Homalopsis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
Homalopsis buccata

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.