Degen's water snake (Crotaphopeltis degeni), also known commonly as Degen's herald snake and the yellow-flanked snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
The specific name, degeni, is in honor of Swiss-born Edward J. E. Degen (1852–1922), who collected natural history specimens in Africa, and later worked as a taxidermist at the British Museum (Natural History).[3]
C. degeni is found in Cameroon, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.[2]
The preferred natural habitats of C. degeni are mesic savanna and freshwater wetlands, at altitudes of 500–2,700 m (1,600–8,900 ft).[1]
C. degeni is semiaquatic[1][2] and nocturnal.[1] It swims well, and during the day it hides in holes in the ground and in vegetation near water.[1]
C. degeni preys upon amphibians and perhaps also upon small fishes.[1]
C. degeni is oviparous.[2] Clutch size is six eggs.[1]
Degen's water snake (Crotaphopeltis degeni), also known commonly as Degen's herald snake and the yellow-flanked snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is native to Sub-Saharan Africa.
