Green Water Snake

About the Green Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Green Water Snake

Is the Green Water Snake venomous?

No. The Green Water Snake (Philothamnus hoplogaster) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Green Water Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Green Water Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Green Water Snake dangerous?

The Green Water Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Green Water Snake live?

The Green Water Snake has verified records in 17 countries, including South Africa, Tanzania, United Republic of, Zambia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Spotted Bush Snake
  Philothamnus semivariegatus
• 
  Western Natal Green Snake
  Philothamnus occidentalis
• 
  Eastern Green Snake
  Philothamnus natalensis
• 
  Spotted Green Snake
  Philothamnus punctatus
• 
  Western Green Snake
  Philothamnus angolensis
• 
  Battersby's Green Snake
  Philothamnus battersbyi
• 
  Striped Green Snake
  Philothamnus dorsalis
• 
  Common Bush Snake
  Philothamnus irregularis

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards

Squamata

FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits

Colubridae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Philothamnus

SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name

Philothamnus hoplogaster

Keep learning

• What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
• Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
• What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
• How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.