*Banner Image by Paul Dickson
SUMMARY
QUICK ASSESSMENT 0-10
VENOM: Mild
PREVELANCE: Mostly active at night
KEY ID FEATURES: Olive green body, small black markings, pink/orange stripe on lower sides, eyes on top of head
BEHAVIOR: Aquiatic, will strike readliy and musk if handled, capable of leaping strikes
SIZE: Small 30-50cm
IUCN: Least concerned
OTHER: Can appear similar to other water snakes
GALLERY
IMPORTANT: Many snakes have significant variance in coloration and pattern even within the same species. There can also be extreme differences in appearance from juveniles to adults so it is important to never assume you have properly identified a snake.
DESCRIPTION
Chinese Water Snakes are olive green to dark brown with black markings on top, white bellies and a pink or peach colored stripe running down the lower sides. They have a rounded head with strong jaws helpful for hunting fish. Notrils evolved on top of the head due to their aquatic nature. Generally not exceeding 60 cm when mature. Relatively smooth scales running the length of the body. Though technically venomous, reactions are rare in humans and usually consist of minor localized swelling and in more extreme cases mild nausea or dizziness.
BEHAVIOR
Mostly nocturnal Chinese Water Snakes come out at night to hunt fish and occasionally amphibians. They have also been observed out during the day and hiding under boards and logs near water. Quick to bite, musk and squirm excessively but despite being mildly venomous they are not considered dangerous to humans though it should be noted that envenomations can cause mild symptoms including nausea and localized swelling.
HABITAT
Found largely in the New Territories the Chinese Water Snake is a less common snakes to encounter in Hong Kong but is densely populated where established populations are found. Due to their diet of fresh and brackish water prey they can be found most readily near slow moving or still bodies of water including man made fisheries, ponds, mangroves and slow moving streams.
MISTAKEN IDENTITY
NO SNAKE SHOULD EVER BE HANDLED BY ANYONE BUT EXPERTS: Can be mistaken for some other aquatic snakes but generally not confused with dangerously venomous species.