How Does the Fishing Snake Fish? A Detailed Explanation of Its Hunting Methods
In Southeast Asia there is a peculiar water snake, known in China as the arrow-nosed water snake, which possesses superb fishing skills. The fleshy growths on its snout can be used to lure fish and small shrimp within reach, after which it quickly opens its mouth to bite and inject venom, just like a skilled angler. For this reason it is also commonly known as the fishing snake. Let's take a look below at how the fishing snake fishes!
How does the fishing snake fish?
The arrow-nosed water snake spends most of its time living in water, using its tail to anchor its body as it ambushes and hunts small fish swimming past. The fleshy growths on its snout can be used to lure fish and small shrimp within reach, after which it quickly opens its mouth to bite and inject venom, and it can even "scare" small fish into swimming right into its mouth. This predator, the fishing snake, has evolved to be quite sophisticated, and its nervous system can already predict how a fish will behave when startled. In addition, scientists have discovered that the arrow-nosed water snake can emit sound waves from the middle of its body, causing fish to turn around and swim into the snake's mouth.
How does the fishing snake hunt?
The fishing snake can successfully interfere with its prey and accurately predict their next movements. When hunting fish, this snake's body takes on a rare "J" shape, and it only begins to take action once the fish enters the range that its "J" can capture. The hunting process lasts only a few hundredths of a second, making it very difficult for the human eye to observe clearly. Sometimes it can be even faster, reaching a few thousandths of a second. Unlike ordinary predators, the fishing snake does not initially chase in the direction the prey flees, but instead places its head directly in the direction it predicts the fish will flee.
What does the fishing snake look like?
The fishing snake has a maximum body length of about 70-100 cm. This dull-colored, light brown aquatic snake has two tentacle-like growths on its angular head, making it extremely easy to identify; no other snake species in the world looks similar. The fishing snake's body scales have raised ridges, and the scales on its ventral side are thinner and smaller, which greatly reduces its ability to move on land. It is an ovoviviparous snake species, giving birth to about 5-13 young snakes each time, and the young snakes can begin to move like adults within a few hours of birth.