Macleay's Water Snake

About the Macleay's Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Macleay's Water Snake

Is the Macleay's Water Snake venomous?

No. The Macleay's Water Snake (Pseudoferania polylepis) 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 Macleay's Water Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Macleay's Water Snake dangerous?

The Macleay'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 Macleay's Water Snake live?

The Macleay's Water Snake has verified records in 6 countries, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Homalopsidae snakes

• 
  Southeast Asian Bockadam
  Cerberus schneiderii
• 
  Puff-faced Water Snake
  Homalopsis buccata
• 
  Rainbow Mud Snake
  Enhydris enhydris
• 
  Murphy's Mud Snake
  Hypsiscopus murphyi
• 
  Rice Paddy Snake
  Hypsiscopus plumbeus
• 
  Chinese Water Snake
  Myrrophis chinensis
• 
  Jack's Water Snake
  Homalopsis mereljcoxi
• 
  White-bellied Mangrove Snake
  Fordonia leucobalia

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

Homalopsidae

GenusA close-knit group of very similar species

Pseudoferania

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

Pseudoferania polylepis

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.