Werner's Water Snake

About the Werner's Water Snake

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Werner's Water Snake

Is the Werner's Water Snake venomous?

No. The Werner's Water Snake (Crotaphopeltis tornieri) 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 Werner's Water Snake poisonous?

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

Is the Werner's Water Snake dangerous?

The Werner'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 Werner's Water Snake live?

The Werner's Water Snake has verified records in 3 countries, including Tanzania, United Republic of, Malawi, Kenya. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Why is it called the Werner's Water Snake?

The specific name, tornieri, is in honor of German zoologist Gustav Tornier.

Where it is found

More Colubridae snakes

• 
  Red-lipped Snake
  Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia
• 
  Barotse Water Snake
  Crotaphopeltis barotseensis
• 
  Degen’s Herald Snake
  Crotaphopeltis degeni
• 
  Ghana Herald Snake
  Crotaphopeltis hippocrepis
• 
  Common Garter Snake
  Thamnophis sirtalis
• 
  Common Watersnake
  Nerodia sipedon
• 
  Gopher Snake
  Pituophis catenifer
• 
  DeKay's Brownsnake
  Storeria dekayi

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

Crotaphopeltis

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

Crotaphopeltis tornieri

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.