Dussumier's water snake facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Dussumier's water snake
Conservation status
Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Homalopsidae
Genus:	Dieurostus Berg, 1901
Species:	D. dussumieri
Binomial name
Dieurostus dussumieri (A.M.C. Duméril, Bibron & A.H.A. Duméril, 1854)
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The Dieurostus is a type of snake that belongs to the Homalopsidae family, also known as mud snakes or water snakes. There's only one known species in this group, called Dieurostus dussumieri. You might hear it called Dussumier's water snake or the Kerala mud snake. This snake is mildly venomous, meaning its bite isn't usually dangerous to humans. It has fangs located at the back of its mouth. This snake lives only in Kerala, a state in southwestern India. People once thought it also lived in Bangladesh, but that's now uncertain.

Why the Name?

Both the snake's scientific name, dussumieri, and its common name, Dussumier's water snake, honor a person. They are named after Jean-Jacques Dussumier. He was a French merchant and ship owner. He also collected many different animal specimens.

Where It Lives

The Dussumier's water snake lives only in the coastal areas of southwestern India. You can find it in the state of Kerala.

Snake Habits

The Dussumier's water snake loves water. It is seen most often during the rainy season. This snake has been spotted in many wet places. These include flooded rice fields and other farm areas. It also lives comfortably in lakes and swamps.

When this snake is on land, it moves slowly. It seems a bit clumsy. Its main food is fish. It often hides in crab-holes found in mud banks. It also uses other safe spots near water bodies. This snake lays eggs, which means it is an oviparous species.