Next up in our highlight of the adorable weirdos of the snake world is the file snake, or “elephant trunk snake” from the genus Acrochordus.
Native to tropical Asia and Australia, file snakes are entirely aquatic. They generally reside in running water, such as rivers & streams, where they lie in wait, ambushing fish as they swim past. They have extremely rough scales (hence the “file” moniker), and loose-fitting skin which allows them to hold and constrict slippery prey. They lack the gripping belly scales of terrestrial snakes, making them almost helpless on land, and feature an extremely long fork in their tongue, which helps them to home-in on scents in the water. They may not be considered the prettiest snake in the world, but they’re an amazing example of the incredible adaptability of snakes!
