Homalopsidae
White-bellied Mangrove Snake
HarmlessFordonia leucobalia
6 photographs of the White-bellied Mangrove Snake. © Andrew Parker.
The White-bellied Mangrove Snake (Fordonia leucobalia) is a non-venomous snake in the Homalopsidae family, recorded in 16 countries.
- Family
- Homalopsidae
About the White-bellied Mangrove Snake
Fordonia is a genus of aquatic snakes in the family Homalopsidae. It is monotypic, being represented by the single species Fordonia leucobalia, commonly known as crab-eating water snake and white-bellied mangrove snake. It is a common resident of mangrove swamps and tropical tidal wetlands from the coast of Southeast Asia to Indonesia and the coasts of Northern Australia.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: White-bellied Mangrove Snake
- Is the White-bellied Mangrove Snake venomous?
- No. The White-bellied Mangrove Snake (Fordonia leucobalia) 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 White-bellied Mangrove Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-bellied Mangrove Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the White-bellied Mangrove Snake dangerous?
- The White-bellied Mangrove Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the White-bellied Mangrove Snake live?
- The White-bellied Mangrove Snake has verified records in 16 countries, including Papua New Guinea, Australia, Indonesia. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Homalopsidae snakes
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
- Fordonia
- SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name
- Fordonia leucobalia
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.