Erpeton Tentaculatum

The tentacled snake is an aquatic snake easily identified by the pair of short, scaly appendages that extend from the front of its snout. Its head and body are extremely flat, and its coloring varies from light brown with dark stripes to dark gray with light-brown mottling. This color and pattern can resemble a twig or branch with mottled, water-soaked bark. The snake’s scales are keeled and feel rough like sandpaper. Tentacled snakes are diurnal and aquatic. The nostrils are dorsally positioned and valvular – specialized tissue allows them to close. They grow to about 19 – 20 inches long.