Lake Buhi Bockadam
Cerberus microlepis
The Lake Buhi Bockadam is a semi-aquatic snake endemic to Lake Buhi in the Philippines, characterized by its small scales and adaptation to freshwater environments. This species plays an important ecological role as both predator and prey in the lake's ecosystem, feeding on fish and amphibians while serving as food for larger aquatic predators and birds.
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Squamata
Family
Homalopsidae
Genus
Cerberus
Lake Buhi Bockadam belongs to the family Homalopsidae, order unknown, within the Squamata class.
Species Profile
The Lake Buhi Bockadam is a semi-aquatic snake endemic to Lake Buhi in the Philippines, characterized by its small scales and adaptation to freshwater environments. This species plays an important ecological role as both predator and prey in the lake's ecosystem, feeding on fish and amphibians while serving as food for larger aquatic predators and birds.
The Lake Buhi Bockadam faces severe threats primarily from habitat degradation and the extremely small range limited to Lake Buhi in the Philippines. The species is vulnerable to water pollution, sedimentation from agricultural runoff, and introduced species that alter the lake ecosystem.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits the shallow, vegetated margins of Lake Buhi and its associated wetlands, particularly areas with dense aquatic vegetation and muddy substrates. It also utilizes the lake's tributary streams and surrounding marshy areas for foraging and shelter.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
The Lake Buhi Bockadam faces severe threats primarily from habitat degradation and the extremely small range limited to Lake Buhi in the Philippines. The species is vulnerable to water pollution, sedimentation from agricultural runoff, and introduced species that alter the lake ecosystem.
Extremely restricted range making population vulnerable
Habitat degradation from agricultural runoff and sedimentation
Water pollution affecting lake water quality
Human disturbance and development around lake shores
Introduced species altering native ecosystem
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Lake Buhi Bockadam (Cerberus microlepis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/lake-buhi-bockadam