Colubridae
Mountain Water Snake
HarmlessTrimerodytes percarinatus
6 photographs of the Mountain Water Snake. © Jay Paroline.
The Mountain Water Snake (Trimerodytes percarinatus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 9 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Mountain Water Snake
Trimerodytes percarinatus, commonly known as the eastern water snake, olive keelback, olive annulate keelback or Chinese keelback water snake, is a species of snake in the subfamily Natricinae.
Taxonomy
The type locality for T. percarinatus is Guadun (formerly spelled as Kuatun), Wuyishan City (former Chongan County) in NW Fujian, China.
Subspecies
The subspecies Trimerodytes percarinatus suriki is endemic to Taiwan where it occurs in the whole country.
Description
T. percarinatus is a defensive snake that bites readily when caught, but it is not venomous. It is a medium-sized snake, typically attaining a total length (including tail) of 70–90 cm (28–35 in), but may grow up to 110 cm (43 in). An adult female usually lays 4 to 13 eggs, but may lay as many as 25 eggs.
Distribution and habitat
T. percarinatus is found in NE India (Changlang District, Arunachal Pradesh), Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, S China (Hainan, Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, Hubei), Hong Kong, and Taiwan. It is an aquatic species associated with hilly areas.
Diet
T. percarinatus preys on shrimps, frogs (including tadpoles), and fish.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Mountain Water Snake
- Is the Mountain Water Snake venomous?
- No. The Mountain Water Snake (Trimerodytes percarinatus) 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 Mountain Water Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Mountain Water Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Mountain Water Snake dangerous?
- The Mountain Water Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Mountain Water Snake live?
- The Mountain Water Snake has verified records in 9 countries, including China, Chinese Taipei, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Mountain Water Snake eat?
- T. percarinatus preys on shrimps, frogs (including tadpoles), and fish.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Asiatic Water SnakeTrimerodytes aequifasciatus
Ringed Water SnakeTrimerodytes annularis
Banded Stream SnakeTrimerodytes balteatus
Yunnan Keelback Water SnakeTrimerodytes yunnanensis
Trimerodytes yapingiTrimerodytes yapingi
Angel's Mountain KeelbackTrimerodytes praemaxillaris
Common Garter SnakeThamnophis sirtalis
Common WatersnakeNerodia sipedon
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
- Trimerodytes
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Trimerodytes percarinatus
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.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.