Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Saw this snake at a local herp show. It was part of a group of wild caught snakes identified by common name only. Anyone know the genus or specis?

Thanks

Unidentified Chinese Water snake

Sinonatrix annularis.
-----
Diego

huh... second Sinonatrix in the past month. I'm impressed since I haven't ever seen another one one these boards in the past couple years

That's funny. I hadn't even seen that post until you mentioned it here.

-----
Diego

Those (and the ones at the start of this thread) also look a heck of a lot like Sinonatrix percarinata, the mountain watersnake. Knowing what little I do about taxonomy though, I'd be almost willing to bet those two names belong to the same species or different subspecies... my book is a little dated too since it's still got just plain old Natrix.

Just for reference, North American water snakes (which are obviously closely related) tend to have skin problems if you keep them too wet. A mostly dry cage with a large dish for soaking works well. An aquatic tank is probably asking for trouble (not to mention that you'll have to empty it every few days...)
-----
What goes up must come down...unless it exceeds escape velocity.

Thanks. I had those guys a couple years back.

They actually had a nice dry land area with a basking spot that they used often. The only time they would go in the water was when they got freaked out or they were hunting fish.

Unfortunately, they succumbed to some sort of neurological disorder. Probably should have quarantined them longer...
-----
Diego

Yes, Diego(viborero) got it right on!, it's a Sinonatrix annularis, they are native to southern China.

~Doug
-----
"Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!"

Thanks one and all for the ID. I appreciate it. It was part of a dealer's inventory of wild caught herps including Elephant trunk snakes, egg eaters and others.

Other photos of the critters at the show are here:

http://herptech.blogspot.com/2008/03/manassas-herp-show-february-16-2008.html

Thanks again

DD
Manassas Show Blog entry