The Dragon Serpent

Snakes are incredible creatures ; their skeleton consists of flexible spines and dozens of pairs of ribs. Their skin is covered in scales and is usually dry to the touch. Most snakes have only one lung, which is exceptionally long and extends throughout its entire body. Some snakes have an appearance and characteristics very similar to those of dragons. But then, are snakes related to dragons?

In this article, we'll focus on snakes that resemble dragons. The primary characteristic that gives these snakes a dragon-like appearance is their keeled scales . Unlike the smooth scales we generally recognize, these keeled scales are curved and end in a prominent ridge. The Atheris is one of the snake species that possesses this type of scale, mimicking those of dragons. But let's start with our main subject, the Dragon Snake , also known as Xenodermus javanicus , and called " Dragonsnake " in English. 🐍

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Xenodermus Javanicus

One of the world's strangest snakes is the Javan dragon (Xenodermus javanicus ), also known as the Javan dragon . Although it doesn't breathe fire, its anatomy is unusual enough to evoke images of mythical creatures such as dragons. The first dragon was described in 1836 by the Danish zoologist Johannes T. Reinhardt. He named it Xenodermus , from the Greek word for "foreign skin," because of its distinctive scales, of which Reinhardt described three types.

The Javan snake (Xenodermus javanicus) is a grass snake, aglyphous, belonging to the family Xenodermatidae , which currently comprises 5 genera and 17 species. It is monotypic. Its population ranges from the far south of Myanmar, through Thailand, to Indonesia (Sumatra, Borneo, Java). Its small size (between 60 and 70 cm) and secretive nature make it difficult to observe. In Thailand, the few specimens captured were found in the south, on the border with Malaysia. It is found at altitudes ranging from 500 to 1300 m, with a preference for around 1100 m above sea level. It is most prevalent on the island of Java .

Physical Characteristics of Xenodermus Javanicus

The head of the Javan wood snake (Xenodermus javanicus) is very distinct from the rest of its body. It is covered in small, granular scales, except for the nasal/internasal scales, which are large and prominent. Its medium-sized eyes have vertical pupils. The body is also covered in more or less regular scales. Three rows of large, protruding scales, resembling a crest, run along the spine, with two other rows symmetrically placed on either side of these first three rows. In contrast to the small, irregular dorsal scales , those covering the flanks are thin and regular. The exact function of the shape of the nasal scales and the crest along the body is not yet known.

The tail represents nearly a third of the total length. The animal's overall color is taupe-gray , with grayish-white ventral scales edged in taupe-gray. Female dragon snakes , larger than males, have shorter tails. They have between 176 and 186 ventral scales compared to 171 to 177 for males; similarly, they have only 133 to 150 subcaudal scales compared to 147 to 165 for males. Kopstein (1938) specifies that, in Java, female Xenodermus javanicus outnumber males, with a ratio of approximately 44% males to 56% females.

Habitat and Diet of Xenodermus Javanicus

Shy by nature, the Javan frog (Xenodermus javanicus) spends most of its daytime life hidden in burrows and tunnels dug a few centimeters below the soft soil. It is semi-fossorial and semi-aquatic. It is at nightfall that it ventures out of its hiding place in search of its favorite prey , frogs . This animal prefers the vicinity of calm, shallow waters. It can be found in forests as well as in flooded fields, particularly rice paddies where its prey is abundant.

The Dragon Snake is not an aggressive animal. When handled, it simply stiffens and appears frozen. Once placed on the ground, it remains motionless for a few moments to ensure that all danger has passed. Then it slowly and silently disappears under the dead leaves in the humus or finds refuge in the water. Oviparous , mating and laying of 2 to 4 eggs takes place during the rainy season, from October to February. These eggs are small, measuring 23 to 28 mm by 9 to 11 mm. After 61 to 65 days of incubation, the hatchlings, about 20 centimeters long, emerge. 🐍

Xenodermus javanicus in Captivity

In his book "The Snakes of Thailand and Their Husbandry" (1991), Merel J. Cox provides some essential advice for keeping Xenodermus javanicus in captivity under good conditions. The substrate should be loose and offer numerous hiding places; a large, shallow basin should be available, and some hiding places should also be provided within it. Do your research thoroughly if you wish to adopt a dragon snake.

The terrarium should be heated to a maximum of 28-30°C. For optimal temperature, it should be possible to provide a range of 25-26°C at the coolest point and 30°C at the warmest. Only a fairly large terrarium will allow for such a temperature gradient . Despite this, the Xenoderma remains very difficult to keep in captivity. Regarding diet , MJ Cox confirms its preference for frogs , but also specifies that the Dragon Snake might eventually accept some small fish .

Dragon Scale Snakes

After discussing the Dragon Serpent mentioned above, let's broaden our analysis to include other snakes that resemble dragons. There are approximately 3,500 different species of snakes identified worldwide, and they are found everywhere except in Antarctica.

As we've seen, their anatomy is very impressive ; their flexible jaws allow them to eat prey larger than their heads. The anaconda, in particular, can swallow and digest large prey such as cheetahs and caimans. However, what interests us in this article is the physical appearance of snakes. Are snakes and dragons related? In fact, here's another reptile that could be described as a Dragon Serpent, and which reminds us of the appearance of the mythical creature. 🐉

Atheris Hispida

The spiny-tailed viper (Atheris hispida) has spiny scales, resembling the fictional dragons imagined by humans. Its scientific name is Atheris, and it belongs to a genus of venomous vipers known as bush vipers. They are found only in tropical sub-Saharan Africa . These snakes live in the Congo and Uganda. They are rarely seen in the wild because they inhabit areas far from human settlements. For the same reason, the exact number of spiny-tailed vipers still in the wild is unknown.

Reaching lengths of approximately 58 to 73 cm, they aren't the largest snakes in the world, and they don't need to be to cause damage. Atheris hispida are predators ; they ambush their prey. They live in trees and spend most of their time in the highest branches, watching for unsuspecting prey. Nocturnal creatures , they easily find their meals. They tend to avoid humans, and humans generally don't enter their natural habitat. Why, you ask? Well, these snakes are highly venomous , and due to their rarity, it has been impossible to find or create an antidote to their venom.

This dragon-like serpent is usually found in a variety of colors that mimic nature , such as green, olive green, bluish hues, or a certain type of brownish color. This snake generally appears in shades of green, brown, red, and blue, with variations of all these colors observed in some species. Just looking at these creatures, I immediately think of dragons, don't you? They are truly amazing snakes, and even if you don't like snakes, you have to admit they are magnificent and magical beings . Let's hope they stay away from humans for centuries to come. A true Dragon Serpent.

This article about the Dragon Snake (Xenodermus javanicus) is coming to an end. Of course, there are other reptiles that resemble dragons, such as the Komodo Monster . Before you fly off to other horizons, take a look at our dragon-themed shop; you'll find interesting items there, like our ring collection below.