In Vietnam, there is a species of snake known for its peculiar appearance, featuring two “antennae” protruding from its snout. It is considered one of the most bizarre snakes in the world. This snake is called the tentacled snake, scientifically known as Erpeton tentaculatum Lacepede.
The tentacled snake is endemic to Southeast Asia. Previously, this species was often classified under the subfamily Homalopsinae in the family Colubridae. However, it has recently been reclassified into the family Homalopsidae, which is known as the mud snake family. This is the only species in the genus Erpeton, recognized for its distinctive two tentacle-like appendages located at the front of its mouth.
The tentacled snake can be found in countries such as Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Within Vietnam, it appears in several localities including Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Tay Ninh, as well as in the Tan Thanh area of Long An province and in Kien Giang.
Each breeding event, the snake can lay from 5 to 13 offspring.
Due to its unusual appearance, the tentacled snake has been transported to many countries around the world as an ornamental creature. Recently, uncontrolled hunting and trade have put the tentacled snake at serious risk of population decline.
Its habitats typically include murky waters such as lakes, rice paddies, and slow-flowing rivers. They can live in freshwater, brackish, or saltwater. The Tonle Sap Lake in Cambodia, rich in silt and diverse fish, is a prime example of the ideal habitat for this species.
Information from Vietnam’s Forest Organisms indicates that the head of this snake has a distinctive shape, with significantly enlarged scales on its body and a very narrow belly. The coloration and patterns on its body vary widely, commonly featuring brown spots. When living in calm freshwater environments with acidic conditions, the upper belly of the snake takes on a brownish-yellow hue. At each breeding event, the snake can lay from 5 to 13 offspring, and each hatchling measures between 20 to 24 cm in length, resembling the adult snake.
Their most prominent feature is the two tentacle-like appendages on the snout.
The only snake species capable of predicting the reactions of its prey
The tentacled snake is relatively modest in size, averaging between 50 to 90 cm in length. Its most notable characteristic is the two tentacle-like appendages on its snout, which it uses to attract prey, especially fish. These sensory tentacles are highly sensitive and can detect movements underwater, allowing the snake to swiftly strike at unfortunate fish swimming nearby.
Their hunting method resembles a fisherman. The tentacled snake remains still and waits for a fish to swim close before attacking. Its strike speed is incredibly quick, taking only 15 milliseconds to capture a fish. Despite its extremely agile reflexes and quick attack, it sometimes fails to catch fish, leading the tentacled snake to use another clever tactic. When it detects a fish approaching, the snake creates a gentle splashing sound with its body, mimicking the sound of prey to entice the fish into swimming directly into danger right before its mouth.
Although they are venomous, the amount of venom and toxins is not enough to pose a danger to humans. A few cases of bites from the tentacled snake only result in drowsiness for a few hours without any other severe symptoms.
Hatchlings are born through ovoviviparous development in water.
The tentacled snake can remain underwater for up to 30 minutes without needing to surface for air. They move clumsily on land. During the dry season, at night, they often burrow into mud for shelter. Hatchlings are born through ovoviviparous development in water. The tentacled snake hunts by using a unique ambush technique; they often maintain a still position. Their tails help them anchor in the water, and their bodies curve like an inverted “J”. Their hunting zone narrows at the front and a part of the right side of their body. When fish swim into this zone, the tentacled snake quickly lunges forward to capture its prey.
Among all snake species, this species is the only one known to predict the reactions of its prey to take appropriate actions. Similar to the elephant trunk snake, they primarily live underwater but also have the ability to move onto land.
