Herrmann's Water Snake

About the Herrmann's Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Herrmann's Water Snake

Is the Herrmann's Water Snake venomous?

The Herrmann's Water Snake (Hydrodynastes bicinctus) is rear-fanged and only mildly venomous. It is not considered dangerous to humans (its venom is weak and its fangs sit at the back of the mouth) but a bite can cause local swelling or irritation, so it should not be handled.

Is the Herrmann's Water Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Herrmann's Water Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Herrmann's Water Snake live?

The Herrmann's Water Snake has verified records in 11 countries, including Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana. See the distribution section below for its full range.

What does the Herrmann's Water Snake eat?

Herrmann's water snakes eat fish, frogs, lizards, other snakes, and small mammals.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  False Water Cobra
  Hydrodynastes gigas
• 
  Common Garter Snake
  Thamnophis sirtalis
• 
  Common Watersnake
  Nerodia sipedon
• 
  Gopher Snake
  Pituophis catenifer
• 
  DeKay's Brownsnake
  Storeria dekayi
• 
  North American Racer
  Coluber constrictor
• 
  Ring-necked Snake
  Diadophis punctatus
• 
  Western Terrestrial Garter Snake
  Thamnophis elegans

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

Hydrodynastes

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

Hydrodynastes bicinctus

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.