Is the red-banded snake venomous? Let us walk you through its toxicity

The red-banded snake, also known as the fire red chain, red-spotted snake, mulberry root snake, and so on, is a snake of the genus Lycodon in the family Colubridae. Adults reach a total length of about 1 meter, with the back patterned in alternating dark brown and red (reddish-brown). It is widely distributed in our country, found in every province (region) except western Inner Mongolia, **, and Tibet. Now let us take a look together at whether the red-banded snake is venomous!

Is the red-banded snake venomous?

The red-banded snake is a non-venomous snake, but some fire red chains are venomous. Strictly speaking, the red-banded snake is a rear-fanged venomous snake. Why do many people say a bite causes no harm? In fact, rear fangs are two venom teeth located near the throat. If the mouth is not opened wide enough when biting a person, the rear fangs cannot break the skin, so there is no possibility of envenomation. If the mouth opens wide enough, the bite lands directly and causes envenomation. At the same time, although the red-banded snake is only mildly venomous, some individuals' constitutions are relatively sensitive to its venom, and they can develop severe poisoning symptoms, even leading to death from the bite. Reports of deaths from red-banded snake bites are not few across the country.

What food does the red-banded snake eat?

The red-banded snake mostly lives in fields, mountains, plains, hills, and areas near water, and often appears around homes. It is frequently found in villagers' courtyards (including suburban areas around cities and gardens in the city), feeding on toads, frogs, lizards, fish, mice, snakes, birds, animal carcasses, and so on, and making its nest in tree holes, grave holes, burrows, or under piles of stones and tiles. It is a nocturnal snake, mostly appearing in the evening and active frequently after 10 p.m. During the day it hides in wall cracks, rocks, and caves. When it encounters an enemy, it first buries its head deep beneath its body and shakes its tail as a warning. If the warning fails against the enemy, it will bend into an S shape and launch an attack.

Is the red-banded snake protected?

The red-banded snake has been included in the "List of Terrestrial Wild Animals Protected by the State That Are Beneficial or of Important Economic or Scientific Research Value," issued by China's State Forestry Administration on August 1, 2000. It is listed in the "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species" ver3.1 (2013)—-Near Threatened (NT). It is listed in the China Biodiversity Red List——Vertebrate Volume, with an assessment level of Vulnerable (VU). Note that illegally hunting and killing wild animals protected by the state will be punished under criminal law.