Based on new phylogenetic data, Murphy and Voris (2014) moved a number of Enhydris species to new genera. This species, Siebold's Mud Snake, was segregated into the monotypic genus Ferania. It is known from northwest peninsular India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, apparently endemic to the Jumma, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river drainages.
This snake has been removed from the polyphyletic genus Enhydris and placed in Ferania Schlegel by Kumar et al. (2012)
This snake has been removed from the polyphyletic genus Enhydris and placed in Ferania Schlegel by Kumar et al. (2012)
Siebold's water snake (Ferania sieboldii), also known commonly as Siebold's mud snake and Siebold's smooth water snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Homalopsidae. The species is endemic to Asia.
Both the specific name, sieboldii, and the common name, Siebold's water snake, are in honor of Philipp Franz von Siebold, a German botanist and physician.[4]
F. sieboldii is found in Bangladesh, northcentral India, and western Malaysia.
The preferred natural habitat of F. sieboldii is freshwater wetlands.[1]
F. sieboldii has a dorsal pattern of large blotches similar to those of a python, but it is distinctive in having its nostrils on the top of the snout to aid its aquatic lifestyle. It also lacks labial pits.[5]
It may attain a total length (including tail) of 89 cm (35 in). A female of that length had a tail which was 11 cm (4.3 in) long.[6]
F. sieboldii is viviparous.[3]
Siebold's water snake (Ferania sieboldii), also known commonly as Siebold's mud snake and Siebold's smooth water snake, is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake in the family Homalopsidae. The species is endemic to Asia.
