The Kapuas mud snake (Enhydris gyii) is a native Borneo species of snakes that can change its epidermal color spontaneously. Named after the Kapuas River, the snake's chameleon-like behaviour was discovered in 2005 accidentally when a specimen was put in a dark bucket. The snake's skin turned pale white 20 minutes later. Scientists determined the snake as a new species belongs to the Enhydris genus. Like all Homalopsinae, the 30 inches (76 cm) long snake is mildly venomous (rear-fanged) and viviparous.
Famous quotes containing the words mud and/or snake:
“One who was my companion in my two previous excursions to these woods, tells me that ... he found himself dining one day on moose-meat, mud turtle, trout, and beaver, and he thought that there were few places in the world where these dishes could easily be brought together on one table.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Edible. Good to eat and wholesome to digest, as a worm to a toad, a toad to a snake, a snake to a pig, a pig to a man, and a man to a worm.”
—Ambrose Bierce (1842–1914)