Based on new phylogenetic data, Murphy and Voris (2014) moved a number of Enhydris species to new genera. This species, Boies' Mud Snake, was segregated into Hypsiscopus. It is found from the Andaman Islands (India) and central Myanmar eastward across the Indochinese Peninsula and southern China southward into Indonesia. It is present on many, if not all, Indonesian islands and extends its distribution eastward to Sulawesi (a specimen putatively from the Moluccan Islands would extend the eastern edge of the range even farther]. Hypsiscopus plumbea and Enhydris enhydris are the only Enhydris species (sensu lato) with a widespread distribution.
The rice paddy snake (Hypsiscopus plumbea), also known as grey water snake,[3] Boie's mud snake,[1] yellow or orange bellied water snake, lead water snake or plumbeous water snake is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia.[4][5] It is somewhat common, and is one of the most widespread species of water snake in Asia.[5][6][3]
The species epithet, plumbea, means 'lead-like' and refers to the snake's greyish upper body.[3]
DNA evidence suggests that this taxon might be a species complex.[1]
The rice paddy snake is a relatively small snake, reaching a total length (including tail) of up to 72 cm (28 in), although sources vary.[4] This snake feeds readily on small fish, frogs, and occasionally small lizards. It has countershading coloration, which is dark brown to grey in the upper part of its body, and light colored white to yellowish color at the bottom of its body. In some populations, the upper part may be greenish, and dark spots along the vertebral line may also occur.[3] The head isIt is mainly nocturnal.[3]
The rice paddy snake is found in the Andaman Islands (India), Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, southern China, and Taiwan.[1][3][4]
The rice paddy snake is a common and abundant species associated with a variety of wet habitats.Nong Phai District, Phetchabun Province, Thailand File:Enhyd plumbe 120607-0067 krw.jpg|Hypiscopus plumbea
from Karawang, West Java File:Vietnamese Centipede imported from iNaturalist photo 84659836 on 24 September 2022.jpg|Plumbeous water snake being eaten by Scolopendra dehaani, a species of large centipede.
The rice paddy snake (Hypsiscopus plumbea), also known as grey water snake, Boie's mud snake, yellow or orange bellied water snake, lead water snake or plumbeous water snake is a species of mildly venomous, rear-fanged snake endemic to South Asia. It is somewhat common, and is one of the most widespread species of water snake in Asia.
