Reptile · GBIF taxon 6161327
Tessellated Water Snake
Natrix tessellataAlso known as Dice Snake, Tessellated Snake
Dice snakes spend most of their lives in or near rivers, lakes, and streams, diving beneath the surface to hunt small fish and amphibians. When threatened, they often play dead, turning onto their backs and exuding a foul-smelling musk to deter predators. Females lay clutches of 5 to 25 eggs in damp leaf litter or decaying vegetation along the water edge.
Semi-AquaticNon-VenomousDiurnal
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Small fish
- Frogs
- Tadpoles
Predators
- Herons
- Egrets
- Pike
ThreatsWetland degradation, water pollution, dam construction, and human persecution
HabitatsLakes, slow-moving rivers, streams, ponds, and freshwater marshes
Life span10 to 15 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyColubridae
- SpeciesNatrix tessellata
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Harmless to humans, though wild snakes may bite or musk if grabbed.
Responsible observation
- Observe from Shore: Watch quiet riverbanks or lake margins where they bask on sunlit rocks.
- Avoid Handling: Capturing triggers defensive play-dead behavior and a foul musk secretion.
Prey Tythatguy1312 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Charles J. Sharp / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative
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