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| status = LC
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal | author = Sanders, K. | author2 = Grismer, L. | author3 = Chan-Ard, T. | last-author-amp = yes | title = ''Acrochordus javanicus'' | journal = [[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]] | volume = 2012 | page = e.T176718A1443749 | publisher = [[IUCN]] | date = 2012 | url = http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176718/0 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T176718A1443749.en | access-date = 10 January 2018}}</ref>
| status_ref = <ref name=IUCN>{{Cite journal|author=Sanders K, [[:fr:Larry Lee Grismer|Grismer L]], Chan-Ard T|title=''Acrochordus javanicus ''|journal=[[The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species]]|volume=2012|page=e.T176718A1443749|publisher=[[IUCN]]|date=2012|url=http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/176718/0|doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T176718A1443749.en|access-date=10 January 2018}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''''Acrochordus javanicus''''', commonly known as the '''elephant trunk snake''' or the '''Javan file snake''', is a [[species]] of snake in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Acrochordidae]], a family which represents a group of primitive non-[[venomous]] [[Aquatic animal|aquatic]] [[snake]]s. The species is also kept as an [[exotic pet]].
'''''Acrochordus javanicus''''', commonly known as the '''elephant trunk snake''' or the '''Javan file snake''', is a [[species]] of snake in the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Acrochordidae]], a family which represents a group of primitive non-[[venomous]] [[Aquatic animal|aquatic]] [[snake]]s. The species is also kept as an [[exotic pet]].
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An [[Aquatic animal|aquatic]] snake, ''A. javanicus'' is [[Ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]], with the [[Egg incubation|incubation]] lasting 5 to 6 months and the female expelling 6 to 17 young.<ref name=IUCN/>
An [[Aquatic animal|aquatic]] snake, ''A. javanicus'' is [[Ovoviviparity|ovoviviparous]], with the [[Egg incubation|incubation]] lasting 5 to 6 months and the female expelling 6 to 17 young.<ref name=IUCN/>


==Geographic range==
==Distribution==
''Acrochordus javanicus'' is found in [[South-East]] Asia west of the [[Wallace Line]]:<ref name=IUCN/> southern [[Thailand]], the west coast of [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Borneo]] ([[Kalimantan]], [[Sarawak]]), a number of [[Indonesia]]n islands ([[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and (possibly) [[Bali]]);<ref name=IUCN/><ref name="Wallach et al 2014">{{cite book|author1=Van Wallach|author2=Kenneth L. Williams|author3=Jeff Boundy|title=Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZ3NBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA7|date=22 April 2014|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4822-0848-1|pages=6–7}}</ref> possibly also in [[Cambodia]]<ref name=RDB/> and [[Vietnam]],<ref name="Wallach et al 2014"/><ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Acrochordus |species=javanicus |accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref> although the last is discredited by the IUCN.<ref name=IUCN/>
''Acrochordus javanicus'' is found in [[South-East]] Asia west of the [[Wallace Line]]:<ref name=IUCN/> southern [[Thailand]], the west coast of [[Peninsular Malaysia]], [[Singapore]], [[Borneo]] ([[Kalimantan]], [[Sarawak]]), a number of [[Indonesia]]n islands ([[Java]], [[Sumatra]], and (possibly) [[Bali]]);<ref name=IUCN/><ref name="Wallach et al 2014">{{cite book|author1=Wallach, Van|authorlink1=Van Wallach|author2=Williams, Kenneth L.|authorlink2=Kenneth L. Williams|author3=Boundy, Jeff|title=Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zZ3NBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA7|date=22 April 2014|publisher=CRC Press|isbn=978-1-4822-0848-1|pages=6–7}}</ref> possibly also in [[Cambodia]]<ref name=RDB/> and [[Vietnam]],<ref name="Wallach et al 2014"/><ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Acrochordus |species=javanicus |accessdate=27 February 2016}}</ref> although the last is discredited by the IUCN.<ref name=IUCN/>


==Habitat==
==Habitat==

Revision as of 10:04, 20 October 2018

Elephant trunk snake
Preserved specimen
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Acrochordidae
Genus: Acrochordus
Species:
A. javanicus
Binomial name
Acrochordus javanicus
Hornstedt, 1787

Acrochordus javanicus, commonly known as the elephant trunk snake or the Javan file snake, is a species of snake in the family Acrochordidae, a family which represents a group of primitive non-venomous aquatic snakes. The species is also kept as an exotic pet.

Description

Acrochordus javanicus possesses a wide and flat head, and its nostrils are situated on the top of the snout. Those head particularities confer to A. javanicus a certain resemblance with boas. However, its head is only as wide as its body. Females are bigger than males, and the maximum total length (including tail) of an individual is 2.4 m (94 in). The dorsal side of the snake's body is brown, and its ventral side is pale yellow.[2]

The skin is baggy and loose[3] giving the impression that it is too big for the animal. The skin is covered with small rough adjacent scales. The skin is also used in the tannery industry.[1][2]

A. javanicus is fully adapted to live underwater so much that its body cannot support its weight out of water and leaving the water can cause it serious injury.[citation needed]

Reproduction

An aquatic snake, A. javanicus is ovoviviparous, with the incubation lasting 5 to 6 months and the female expelling 6 to 17 young.[1]

Geographic range

Acrochordus javanicus is found in South-East Asia west of the Wallace Line:[1] southern Thailand, the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Borneo (Kalimantan, Sarawak), a number of Indonesian islands (Java, Sumatra, and (possibly) Bali);[1][4] possibly also in Cambodia[5] and Vietnam,[4][5] although the last is discredited by the IUCN.[1]

Habitat

Acrochordus javanicus has a coastal living habitat like rivers, estuaries and lagoons. But it prefers freshwater and brackish environments.[2]

Feeding

Acrochordus javanicus is an ambush predator that preys on fishes and amphibians. It usually catches its prey by folding its body firmly around the prey. Its loose, baggy skin and its sharp scales find their utility by limiting any risk of escape of the prey, in particular fishes which have bodies covered with a viscous, protective mucus.[2]

Behavior

Acrochordus javanicus is nocturnal. It spends most of its life under water and rarely goes on land. It can stay under water up to 40 minutes.[2]

Original publication

  • Hornstedt CF (1787). "Beskrifning på en Ny Orm från Java ". Kongl. Vetenskaps Akademiens Handlingar 4: 306-308 + Plate XII. (Acrochordus javanicus, new species). (in Latin and Swedish).

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Sanders K, Grismer L, Chan-Ard T (2012). "Acrochordus javanicus ". The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. IUCN: e.T176718A1443749. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T176718A1443749.en. Retrieved 10 January 2018. {{cite journal}}: Check |author= value (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e Chiu K (1999). "Acrochordus javanicus Javan File Snake, Elephant Trunk Snake". Animal Diversity Web.
  3. ^ Durso, Andrew (30 August 2014). "Filesnakes, Wartsnakes, or Elephant Trunksnakes". Life is Short, but Snakes are Long. Retrieved 27 February 2016.
  4. ^ a b Wallach, Van; Williams, Kenneth L.; Boundy, Jeff (22 April 2014). Snakes of the World: A Catalogue of Living and Extinct Species. CRC Press. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-1-4822-0848-1.
  5. ^ a b Acrochordus javanicus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 27 February 2016.
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