Wart Snakes Diya Goya (water monitor)

 Wart Snakes: Unveiling the Mysterious Acrochordidae Diya Goya (water monitor)

What is the Wart Snake?

The Wart Snake (Acrochordus granulatus), also known locally in Sri Lanka as Diya Goya (water monitor), Mada Panuva (mud worm), or Redi Naya (cloth snake), is a fascinating aquatic reptile. Belonging to the family Acrochordidae, these snakes are stout and covered with wrinkly skin that resembles warts, hence their common name.

Wart snakes inhabit the coastal waters of tropical Asia and Australasia, favoring shallow estuaries, lagoons, and mangrove swamps. There are three species of these snakes in the Asia-Pacific region, with one species—Acrochordus granulatus—frequenting Sri Lanka’s waters.

Physical Appearance

Wart snakes possess several distinct features that make them stand out:

• Body: Heavy-bodied, laterally compressed to aid swimming.
• Head: Dark grey or black in color, small in proportion to their body.
• Skin: Covered with tiny, rough scales arranged in distinctive cream bands that taper down the belly.
• Size: Adults can grow up to 100 cm (1 meter) in length.
• Tail: Pointed with a valve-like structure at the tip of the snout, helping them close off their nostrils while submerged.

Their unique wrinkled skin assists with gripping prey and helps them maneuver through aquatic environments.

Habitat and Distribution

Wart snakes thrive in coastal habitats, especially:

• Mangrove swamps
• Lagoons
• Estuaries
• Mudflats

These snakes are nocturnal, spending most of the night swimming or lurking beneath muddy waters. During the day, they remain submerged for long periods, often over two hours, camouflaging themselves among submerged roots and vegetation.

They are found not only in Sri Lanka but also in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Australasia.

Diet and Behavior

Wart snakes are primarily fish eaters. They rely on quick, jerky movements to catch:

• Gobies and their relatives
• Crustaceans (as supplementary prey)

Although sluggish by nature, they display bursts of aggression when threatened. Their slow movement underwater makes them seem passive, but they are quite efficient hunters.

Reproduction

Wart snakes are ovoviviparous, meaning the young develop in eggs within the mother’s body, and the hatchlings are born live. During the breeding season (between January and April), a female can give birth to 4-12 young, each measuring approximately 23 cm at birth.

Conservation and Human Interaction

While wart snakes are not widely considered dangerous to humans, coastal fishing communities sometimes kill them, blaming them for depleting fish stocks. However, these snakes play an essential role in maintaining the ecological balance by regulating fish populations in their habitats.

Interesting Facts

• Despite their sluggish nature, wart snakes are capable of remaining hidden underwater for hours without surfacing.
• Their unusual wrinkled skin not only helps them swim but also assists in holding onto slippery prey.
• The species found in Sri Lanka shares habitats with mangrove crabs and other unique coastal wildlife.

Conclusion

The wart snake (Acrochordus granulatus) is a lesser-known yet fascinating reptile that plays a vital role in the aquatic ecosystems of Sri Lanka and Southeast Asia. Despite their unassuming nature, these snakes demonstrate remarkable adaptability in their natural habitat. Protecting these creatures and their mangrove environments ensures the health of coastal ecosystems for future generations.