SUMMARY

• VENOM: None

• PREVALENCE: Common

• ACTIVE PERIOD: Active at night

• KEY ID FEATURES: Olive green body with small black flecks, yellow belly

• BEHAVIOR: Slow moving and very docile, not quick to bite or musk

• SIZE: Small - ~30cm

• IUCN: NT - Near Threatened

• OTHER: Can be mistaken with other stream snakes but not easily confused with venomous species

GALLERY

IMPORTANT: Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.

DESCRIPTION

Anderson's Stream Snakes are Olive green with small black flecks on top and yellow bellies. They have a narrow head helpful for hunting between rocks in slow moving streams. Nostrils and eyes evolved on top of the head due to their aquatic nature. Generally not exceeding 30cm when mature. Some color variation where olive green can give way to brown.

BEHAVIOR

Strictly nocturnal Anderson's come out at night to hunt fresh water shrimp, small fish and their favorite food, earth worms. Anderson's have also been observed out in significant numbers during heavy rain on trails hunting worms flushed out by water. Not quick to bite or squirm excessively they are not dangerous in anyway though it should be noted that all snakes are capable of biting.

HABITAT

Found all over Hong Kong the Anderson's Stream Snake is one of the more common snakes to encounter at night if you're in the right location. Due to their diet of worms and fresh water prey they can be found most readily near rocky slow moving streams.

MISTAKEN IDENTITY

NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Can be mistaken for some other stream snakes including Bicoloured and Striped Stream Snakes but generally not confused with venomous species.