Dragon Snake

Dragon Snake

Dragon Snake

• Family: Xenodermus
• Range: Southeast Asia, including Thailand, Burma and Indonesia
• Habitat: rainforests
• Captive Lifespan: Not Applicable
• Dangerous:
• Care Level: Not Applicable

Overview

The dragon snake,  Xenodermus javanicus is an interesting snake in that it is the only snake in its genus. The snake is also called the Javan tubercle snake, Javan mud snake, and rough-backed litter snake. The snake is considered to be rare and is not widely kept in the hobby because it does not survive in captivity. It is a nocturnal snake and feeds exclusively on frogs. It is native to Thailand, Burma and Indonesia. It is not a prolific breeder, laying a clutch of two to four eggs a year. It is also known for its “stiff behavior” in which the snake will stiffen up, almost like a board, in any position when touched or picked up. It is not known why it behaves like this but it is interesting still the same.

Another interesting feature about this snake is its skin. Rather than being smooth as most snakes are, the dragon snake has three rows of large, keeled scales that run down the center of its back, somewhat like the ridge of hair seen on a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.