Identification Characteristics:
This snake species is of medium size. Body length: 297 – 328 mm; Tail length: 78 – 98 mm. The head is flattened and not distinct from the neck. The rostral scale is taller than wide, partially visible from above, nearly triangular, small, and partially intrudes into the suture between the two nasal scales. The nostrils are nearly round, located in the middle of the intact nasal scales. There are no internasals, preocular, or loreal scales; one postocular scale; and temporal scales arranged 1+2. There are six supralabials, with the 3rd and 4th contacting the eye; six infralabials, with the first three contacting the first pair of chin shields; two pairs of chin shields, the first pair being longer and wider than the second pair, which are separated by two small scales. The dorsal scales are arranged in 19-21(23)-17(15) rows, smooth, uniform in size, with rounded tips, and aligned in rows. There are 182 – 192 ventral scales; 7 subcaudal scales; and the anal scale is divided.
The dorsal surface is dark gray, with 27 – 51 light yellow vertical stripes on each side, arranged alternately or sometimes connecting. The width of the stripes is much smaller than the spaces between them. From the flanks to the belly, there is a row of 40 – 51 stripes, denser, arranged alternately, sometimes connecting with the dorsal stripes or contiguous on the ventral surface. The head is dark gray. The throat, supralabials, and infralabials have light yellow markings.
Biology and Ecology:
Diurnal (active during the day). Found in swamp forests, reed beds, near rivers, and agricultural areas with water. The diet consists of eels, fish, and amphibians found in its habitat. Oviparous (lays eggs) during the rainy season each year.
Distribution:
Vietnam: Found in almost all provinces of the South, from Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc to Ca Mau.