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Cantoria violacea
| Family Name: | Homalopsidae |
| Taxonomic Group: | Vertebrates (Reptile) |
| Common Name: | Cantor's Water Snake |
Name
Description
| Description | Body slender, yellow with thick black or brown saddle blotches throughout. Some have rear half of the body almostly entirely black. Tail tapers and pointed. |
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Ecology, Habitat & Location
| Ecological Notes | Inhabits mangroves, being aquatic and primarily nocturnal in habits. It is known to feed on snapping shrimps. The colour pattern of this mildly venomous species strongly resembles that of some sea-snakes. However, it lacks the flat, paddle-shaped tail of its highly venomous relatives. |
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| Habitats | Mangroves |
| Distribution | This snake occurs along the coasts of Myanmar, the Malay Peninsula, Sumatra and Borneo. In Singapore, it is known from the mangrove areas at Pasir Ris, Lim Chu Kang and the Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve. |
| Nature Reserves | Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve |
Conservation
| Trends & Threats | Mainly from habitat degradation. |
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| Scientific Interest & Potential Value | Very little is known of its biology and behaviour. |
| Conservation Notes | Protection of mangrove habitats. |
Status
| Species Status | Native |
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| Conservation Status | Rare |
| Singapore Red Data Book Status | Critically Endangered (CR) [2008] |
Photos
References
| References | Baker, N. & Lim, K. 2008. Wild animals of Singapore. Singapore: Draco Publishing and Distribution Pte Ltd. 180pp Davison, G.W.H., Ng, P.K.L. & Ho, H.C (Eds.). 2008. The Singapore Red Data Book (2nd Edition). Singapore: Nature Society (Singapore). 285pp |
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