Amphiesma stolatum

Colubridae, subfamily Natricinae

90 cm

Throughout Taiwan, Matsu, and Orchid Island, up to 500 m altitude.

Taiwan, South China (Anhui, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Henan, Hunan, Yunnan, Zhejiang, Hainan, Fujian, Jiangxi), Sri Lanka, India (Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Nepal, Pakistan.

Small snake; total length up to 90 cm. There are 17-19 rows of scales, which are strongly keeled except, except those on the flanks. Head is elongate oval to slightly triangular; body is slender; tail is long. Eye is medium to large; iris is dappled yellow and black, with outer part of eye black and blending into yellow around pupil; pupil is round, jet black, surrounded by narrow band of light to medium yellow. The supraocular is moderately well developed forming a ridge above and a short distance anterior to eye. Tongue has black stem and gray fork tips. Upper head is gray or medium to olive brown with usually prominent upper shields due to black borders. There is a cream or yellow area, adjourning to a black vertical line, anterior to and posterior to eye. The lighter supralabials are well marked with black along sutures or on posterior margin of each scale. Two yellow or buff stripes extend along the sides of the gray, brownish or olive-green upper body, which is crossed by blackish bars. The stripes are usually diffuse at neck and especially bright on the second half of body. Near the neck, the crossbars are prominent whereas on the second half of body they may become diffuse. The ventral head is cream to bright yellow while the ventral surface of neck region is yellow. The ventral body posterior to neck and ventral tail are white to light gray with black spots or areas of scattered dark pigment on lateral quarter of the ventral area, which appears as a faint longitudinal line near latero-ventral junction and tends to disappear in the posterior part of body. Anal scale is divided and subcaudals are paired.

This terrestrial, diurnal snake inhabits well-watered lowland plains and hills. It hunts frogs, toads, and fish, occasionally also earthworms and geckos. Females produce 4-16 eggs of approximately 2.5x1 cm per clutch in late spring. It has a gentle disposition and as a rule will not strike or attempt to bite: "This snake is reputed as one of the most inoffensive of snakes. Many of its local names convey its innocent nature. Often it is referred by the locals as the "the snake that cannot kill" in their native tongues. This snake is diurnal by nature but may hunt at night if highly rewarding. Often frequenting near puddles and areas where frogs take refuge but very rarely enters the water itself. Humans frequently come in contact with this snake and in response it will dart out of danger and hide itself in neighbouring vegetation. If captured it will make no attempt to escape and will not attack even if viciously molested." (Source)

The Chinese name 花浪蛇 (hua1lang4she2) means "flower wave snake".