Dice snake

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Context:

• A study published in the journal Biology Letters found that dice snakes go to extreme lengths to save themselves from predators, including faking their own deaths.

About Dice Snakes

• Scientific name: Natrix tessellata.
• They are non-venomous, semi-aquatic snakes found in parts of Europe and Asia.
• Appearance: They are relatively small, typically ranging from 50 to 80 centimeters in length. They have a slender body with a distinctive pattern of dark spots or squares along their back, resembling dice markings hence the name "dice snake."
• Habitat: Preferably freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, ponds, and marshes.
• Behavior: Primarily diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They also hunt for fish, amphibians, and invertebrates.
• Reproduction: Oviparous, meaning they lay eggs.
• Threats: habitat loss, pollution, and human activities impacting their freshwater habitats.
• Ecological Importance: They play a role in controlling populations of small aquatic animals like fish and frogs, contributing to the balance of ecosystems they inhabit.
• IUCN Red list: Least Concern

Source:

https://www.wionews.com/science/dice-snakes-fake-their-own-death-by-leaking-blood-from-mouth-smearing-faeces-study-719506