Enhydris innominata

English name: Tay Minh Water Snake (aka “Mekong Delta Water Snake”, “Maurice’s Water Snake”)
Scientific name: Enhydris innominata
Thai name: Ngu Sai-rung Dam
Description: To 70cm long. A short, thick snake. Head is short and small eyes are positioned on the top. Body is grayish-brown to dark brown with black blotches in a line down the lighter-brown sides. Underbelly is pale.
Similar Species: Jagor’s Water Snake is very similar in appearance, but is not found in the Mekong Delta. Scale counts may be necessary to tell them apart.
Longhead Water Snake (Enhydris longicauda) is also difficult to distinguish but is only found in Tonlé Sap Lake, Cambodia.
Interesting facts: This species is only found in the Mekong Delta, though due to taxonomic confusion it was previously thought to be more widespread.