White-Bellied Mangrove Snake

The White-Bellied Mangrove Snake is a distinctive rear-fanged colubrid from the homalopsid group, found in coastal mangrove and estuarine habitats across South and Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It is highly specialized for a crab-eating lifestyle, one of the few snakes adapted to this unusual diet.

While technically possessing mild rear-fang venom, it is not considered dangerous to humans and is regarded as harmless in practical terms.

• Stocky, muscular body adapted for a semi-aquatic lifestyle
• Grayish to olive-brown dorsal coloration with a clean white or cream belly
• Small eyes positioned high on the head, valvular nostrils for aquatic life
• Blunt snout and relatively short tail
• Adult length typically 50-90 cm (20-35 in)

Found in mangrove swamps, mudflats, and estuaries along coastlines of South and Southeast Asia, including India, Southeast Asian countries, and extending to northern Australia. Highly tied to intertidal mangrove ecosystems.

Active mainly at night and during low tide, foraging in mud and shallow water. Highly specialized for feeding on soft-shelled crabs, which it subdues and often dismembers before swallowing. Reproduction is viviparous, with females giving birth to live young.