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PanduanHewanKENALI · PEDULI · LINDUNGI
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PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA

Puff-faced Water Snake

Puff-faced Water Snake (Homalopsis buccata). The puff-faced water snake occurs in tropical South and Southeast Asian waters; head shape and wet habitat matter more than colour alone.

PanduanHewan·Updated 23 September 2026·Homalopsis buccata
About this guideThis guide was compiled from the listed species sources and observation records; it has not been reviewed by a taxonomic specialist. GBIF records are neither a census nor proof of native range.
Photograph of Puff-faced Water Snake (Homalopsis buccata).
(c) Borja Fierro, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY 4.0 · Photograph cropped for layout.

What is the Puff-faced Water Snake?

Puff-faced Water Snake refers to Homalopsis buccata, in the genus Homalopsis, family Homalopsidae, and class Squamata. The scientific name follows the accepted taxon in the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Common names can vary between places; the scientific name distinguishes this species from relatives.

Evidence: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗

What is known about the Puff-faced Water Snake?

The puff-faced water snake occurs in tropical South and Southeast Asian waters; head shape and wet habitat matter more than colour alone.

Read that fact alongside the scientific name and species source, not as proof from an unclear photograph. Populations, ages and taxonomic limits can differ; when identification is uncertain, record the broader group.

Evidence: Species account — background reading ↗

How many Indonesian records name the Puff-faced Water Snake?

When checked on 2026-09-23, the GBIF search returned 296 human-observation records from Indonesia under this species name for 2016–2026. That is a count of indexed records, not an estimate of population, abundance or unique individuals. Observation effort can vary by location, and the count may change as records are added or identifications revised.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

Where were observations reported?

Place labels appearing in the results include Jawa Barat, Riau, Jawa Tengah. They are labels attached to records, not a complete range map or evidence that the species occurs only there. Some labels may be broad or inconsistent. Check the underlying records before using the location information for field decisions.

Evidence: GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗

How can you observe the Puff-faced Water Snake?

A safe-distance photograph can record body, head and tail pattern and locality without handling the animal. Colour alone cannot establish whether a snake is venomous; seek local professional help if there is risk. A well-documented sighting helps others check the identification without turning one encounter into a conservation-status claim.

Explore related animals

To explore this group further, compare Puff-faced Water Snake with Double-spotted Gecko, Common Wolf Snake, Indo-Chinese Rat Snake. These links reflect a shared genus, family, order, class or catalogue group; taxonomic proximity does not imply identical habitat needs or conservation status.

Sources & references

  1. GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — accepted taxon ↗
  2. GBIF occurrence search — Indonesia, human observations, 2016–2026 ↗
  3. iNaturalist — exact species taxon and community observations ↗
  4. Species account — background reading ↗

References can change. Check dates and context in the original source.