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Elephant trunk snake Facts

Elephant trunk snake Facts
Elephant trunk snake belongs to a group of non-venomous aquatic snakes. It can be found in warm freshwaters and brackish waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. These snakes live near the coasts of rivers, streams, canals, lagoons and estuaries. Elephant trunk snakes are rarely seen in the ocean. This unusual snake is often on a target of hunters because of its skin, which is highly prized in the industry of leather. Hundreds of thousand snakes are killed each year because of their skin. Besides skin, elephant trunk snakes are killed because of their meat, which is consumed as delicacy in Asia. Third factor which significantly decrease number of elephant trunk snakes in the wild is habitat loss. Despite all this facts, number of elephant trunk snake is still high in the wild and they are not on the list of endangered animals.
Interesting Elephant trunk snake Facts:
Elephant trunk snake can reach 7.8 feet in length. Females are usually two times longer than males.
Dorsal side of elephant trunk snake is brown in color. Belly is light yellow colored.
Elephant trunk snake has broad, flat head. Nostril and eyes are located on top of it. Body ends with short, mobile tail.
Elephant trunk snake shares similarities in appearance with boa. Unlike boa, head and body of elephant trunk snake are equally wide.
Elephant trunk snake has loose skin, covered with tiny, rough scales thanks to sharp triangular ridges on their surface.
Elephant trunk snake hunts as an ambush predators (using the factor of surprise) and kills the victim by squeezing the life out of it. Loose skin covered with sharp scales prevents victim to escape from a deadly grip.
Elephant trunk snake is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet consists of different types of fish and amphibians.
Elephant trunk snake is nocturnal creature (active during the night).
Elephant trunk snake spends most of its life in the water. It rarely visits land because loose skin prevents normal movement on the solid ground.
Elephant trunk snake can spend 40 minutes under the water. When lungs need to be refilled with fresh air, snake aligns the body with the surface of water and exposes nostrils for 15 to 20 seconds.
Elephant trunk snakes are not venomous, but they may inflict serious injuries when provoked. In the case of bite, their teeth often remain stuck in the attacker's flesh, creating painful wounds.
Elephant trunk snakes play important role in the freshwater eco-systems. They keep the number of fish and frogs under control, while young snakes serve as food source for animals such as wading birds and large fish.
Elephant trunk snakes are ovoviviparous animals. Eggs develop inside mother's body until they become ready to hatch.
Female gives birth to 6 to 17 babies after incubation period of 5 to 6 months.
Elephant trunk snake can survive 5 to 6 years in the captivity.


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