Dog-Faced Water Snake (Cerberus rynchops)

๐Ÿ Dog-Faced Water Snake (Cerberus rynchops) โ€“ The Mysterious Semi-Aquatic Predator

The Dog-Faced Water Snake, named for its blunt, dog-like snout, is a non-venomous, semi-aquatic snake found in coastal mangroves, estuaries, and brackish water zones. This elusive species thrives in the Sundarbans, where it plays an important role in controlling fish and crustacean populations.


๐Ÿท Taxonomy

  • Kingdom: Animalia
  • Phylum: Chordata
  • Class: Reptilia
  • Order: Squamata
  • Family: Homalopsidae
  • Genus: Cerberus
  • Species: Cerberus rynchops

๐Ÿถ Named for its “dog-like” face, this snake is completely adapted to an amphibious lifestyle and is an expert ambush predator in brackish waters.


๐Ÿ”ฌ Morphology & Physical Characteristics

  • Size: Typically 60 to 95 cm, but can reach up to 1.2 meters.
  • Weight: Light-bodied, usually under 1 kg.
  • Coloration:
    • Brownish-gray to olive-green body for camouflage.
    • Dark bands or blotches, especially in juveniles.
    • Pale, yellowish belly.
  • Distinct Features:
    • Blunt, broad snout, resembling a dogโ€™s face.
    • Slender, muscular body for movement in water and mud.
    • Nostrils positioned on top of the snout โ€“ allowing it to breathe while staying mostly submerged.

๐ŸŒ Habitat & Distribution

The Dog-Faced Water Snake thrives in mangrove forests, estuaries, and coastal wetlands.

๐ŸŒŽ Key Habitats:
โœ… Sundarbans (India & Bangladesh) ๐ŸŒฟ โ€“ Common in brackish water zones.
โœ… Indian Ocean & Bay of Bengal ๐ŸŒŠ โ€“ Found along mudflats and mangrove swamps.
โœ… Southeast Asia & Australia โ€“ Coastal estuaries and river deltas.

๐Ÿ“Œ Preferred Habitat:

  • Brackish waters & estuarine rivers โ€“ Perfect for hunting small fish and crabs.
  • Mangrove swamps & tidal creeks โ€“ Excellent camouflage among roots and mud.
  • Shallow coastal waters โ€“ Sometimes seen near muddy shorelines.

โœจ Special Features & Adaptations

1๏ธโƒฃ Amphibious Lifestyle โ€“ Can survive in saltwater, brackish, and freshwater. ๐ŸŒŠ
2๏ธโƒฃ Powerful Swimmer โ€“ Uses its flattened tail for fast movement in water. ๐Ÿš€
3๏ธโƒฃ Nocturnal Hunter โ€“ Active at night, preying on fish, frogs, and crustaceans. ๐Ÿฆ
4๏ธโƒฃ Ambush Predator โ€“ Can stay motionless in mud and shallow water, waiting for prey. ๐ŸŽฃ
5๏ธโƒฃ Mild Venom, but Not Dangerous โ€“ Possesses weak venom for subduing prey, but not harmful to humans. โ˜ ๏ธโŒ


๐ŸŒฟ Presence in the Sundarbans

The Sundarbans, with its mangrove-lined creeks, tidal rivers, and estuarine waters, provides a perfect habitat for the Dog-Faced Water Snake.

๐Ÿ“Œ Key Areas in the Sundarbans:
โœ” Brackish water regions of Hooghly & Raimangal Rivers.
โœ” Mudflats and mangrove swamps near the Bay of Bengal.
โœ” Shallow tidal pools where fish and crabs are abundant.

โš ๏ธ Threats & Human Encounters

๐Ÿšจ Habitat Destruction โ€“ Mangrove deforestation affects their natural habitat.
๐Ÿšจ Pollution & Plastic Waste โ€“ Contaminates food sources and water.
๐Ÿšจ Bycatch in Fishing Nets โ€“ Often caught unintentionally by fishermen.
๐Ÿšจ Coastal Development โ€“ Shrinking wetland areas reduce snake populations.

โœ… Conservation & Safety Measures

โœ” Mangrove Protection Programs โ€“ Safeguarding their habitat.
โœ” Eco-Tourism Awareness โ€“ Educating locals about non-venomous snake species.
โœ” Sustainable Fishing Practices โ€“ Reducing accidental captures.


๐Ÿšจ Conservation Status

๐Ÿ“Œ IUCN Red List: Least Concern (Stable Population).
๐Ÿ“Œ CITES: Not Listed.
๐Ÿ“Œ Indian Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule IV (Moderate Protection).

Although not endangered, climate change, habitat destruction, and pollution pose long-term threats to their population.


The Dog-Faced Water Snake is an important predator in the Sundarbans’ wetland ecosystem. It helps control fish and crustacean populations, ensuring a balanced aquatic environment. Despite misconceptions and fear, this non-venomous, docile snake is harmless to humans and plays a vital ecological role. With proper conservation efforts, we can ensure its continued survival in the Sundarbans. ๐ŸŒŠ๐Ÿ


๐ŸŒŸ Credit Note

๐ŸŒฟ Explore the wild beauty of the Sundarbans with a Sundarban luxury tour package. ๐Ÿ›ถโœจ
๐ŸŒ Plan an unforgettable Sundarban trip to experience exotic wildlife. ๐Ÿฏ๐ŸŒฑ
๐ŸŸ Celebrate Bengalโ€™s famous fish at the Sundarban Hilsa Festival 2025 ๐ŸŽฃ๐Ÿฝ.


For more details, visit the Dog-Faced Water Snake Wikipedia Page.

Other important pages link :

๐ŸŽก Family Time Reimagined โ€” Explore Together with a Sundarban Tour Package!
Safe, educational, and thrilling for kids, elders, and everyone in between.

๐Ÿก Stay in a riverside mud cottage where roosters crow and tides knock at your doorโ€”part of your Sundarban Tour magic