Smith's African Water Snake

About the Smith's African Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Smith's African Water Snake

Is the Smith's African Water Snake venomous?

No. The Smith's African Water Snake (Grayia smithii) 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 Smith's African Water Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Smith's African Water Snake dangerous?

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

Where does the Smith's African Water Snake live?

The Smith's African Water Snake has verified records in 26 countries, including Congo, Democratic Republic of the, Benin, Cameroon. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Ornate African Water Snake
  Grayia ornata
• 
  Tholloni's African Water Snake
  Grayia tholloni
• 
  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

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

Grayia

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

Grayia smithii

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.