Are Water Snakes Venomous? A Guide to Water Snake Toxicity
Water snakes, also known as the red-spotted ratsnake, water long worm, white-lined snake and so on, refer to animals of the genus Natrix in the family Colubridae and similar snakes. They are a species-rich "big family" that mainly includes two varieties, the Chinese water snake and the lead-colored water snake, but by convention the red-spotted ratsnake, the white-striped ratsnake, the twin-spotted ratsnake, the water banded keelback and others are also called water snakes. Let's take a look below at whether water snakes are venomous!
Are Water Snakes Venomous?
Water snakes are mildly venomous. Water snakes are rear-fanged venomous snakes, but their toxicity is very low. If bitten by one, simply disinfecting the wound is enough and there is nothing serious to worry about. Some people who are sensitive to the venom may experience a little redness, swelling and somewhat heavy bleeding, but it is not fatal.
Habits of Water Snakes
Water snakes generally live in streams, ponds, paddy fields or ditches in plains, hills or at the foot of mountains. They are active both day and night, feed on fish, shrimp, frogs and the like, prefer deep muddy environments, and can grow in poor-quality water.
Types of Water Snakes
1. Chinese water snake: The Chinese water snake, also known as the Chinese water snake or mud snake, is a reptile of the genus Natrix in the family Colubridae. It is mildly venomous and generally lives in streams, ponds, paddy fields or ditches in plains, hills or at the foot of mountains, with an upper altitude limit of about 320 m.
2. Lead-colored water snake: The lead-colored water snake, commonly known as the water bubble snake, is a reptile of the genus Natrix in the family Colubridae. It is mildly venomous and lives in paddy fields, ponds, lakes, small rivers and nearby waters in plains, hills or low mountain areas, with an upper altitude limit of 980 m.
3. Red-spotted ratsnake: The red-spotted ratsnake, also known as the water long worm, white-lined snake and so on, is a semi-aquatic non-venomous snake commonly found in ditches, paddy fields, ponds and their vicinity.
4. White-striped ratsnake: The white-striped ratsnake, also known as the, hemp snake and so on, is a non-venomous snake widely distributed in northern China. It is highly viable, tolerant of hunger and thirst, relatively docile in temperament and rather slow-moving, and preys on small birds, lizards and small rodents.
5. Twin-spotted ratsnake: The twin-spotted ratsnake is a reptile of the genus Elaphe in the family Colubridae. It is non-venomous, has a body length of 700-1200 mm, lives in mountainous and hilly areas, preys on lizards, geckos and mice, and is distributed across vast areas of North China and East China.
6. Water banded keelback: The water banded keelback, also known as the water keelback, is non-venomous. It likes to inhabit tree-root burrows by ponds and slow-flowing rivers, rat holes in paddy field ridges, or eel burrows, and during winter hibernation several often share a single burrow.