Lateral Water Snake

About the Lateral Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Lateral Water Snake

Is the Lateral Water Snake venomous?

No. The Lateral Water Snake (Thamnosophis lateralis) 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 Lateral Water Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Lateral Water Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Lateral Water Snake live?

The Lateral Water Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Madagascar, Guyana. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Pseudoxyrhophiidae snakes

• 
  Eastern Madagascar Water Snake
  Thamnosophis epistibes
• 
  Forest Water Snake
  Thamnosophis infrasignatus
• 
  Yellow-striped Water Snake
  Thamnosophis stumpffi
• 
  Common Slug-eater
  Duberria lutrix
• 
  Common Madagascar Cat Snake
  Madagascarophis colubrinus
• 
  Giant Madagascan Hognose Snake
  Leioheterodon madagascariensis
• 
  Bernier's Striped Snake
  Dromicodryas bernieri
• 
  Four-striped Snake
  Dromicodryas quadrilineatus

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

Pseudoxyrhophiidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Thamnosophis

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

Thamnosophis lateralis

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.