Is the White-lined Water Snake venomous?

Yes. The White-lined Water Snake (Rhabdophis auriculatus) is venomous and belongs to the Colubridae family (keelback (rear-fanged)). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the White-lined Water Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-lined Water Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the White-lined Water Snake live?

The White-lined Water Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Philippines, Germany. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

White-lined Water Snake

Venomous

Rhabdophis auriculatus

White-lined Water Snake — Rhabdophis auriculatus, (c) Phil Chaon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)

3 photographs of the White-lined Water Snake. (c) Phil Chaon, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC).

The White-lined Water Snake (Rhabdophis auriculatus) is a venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Colubridae
Danger: high

About the White-lined Water Snake

Rhabdophis auriculatus, the white-lined water snake, is a keelback snake in the family Colubridae. The population of Rhabdophis auriculatus is unknown and has a conservation status of least concern as of April 22, 2007. However, they do face threats such as housing, mining, logging and wood harvesting. Some species in this genus are venomous, but the venom of this species is unknown.

This species has two subspecies: Rhabdophis auriculatus auriculatus and Rhabdophis auriculatus myersi.

Distribution

This species can be found in the Philippines. This species habitat are wetlands and forest. R. auriculatus lives at an elevation from 75 meters to 2,100 meters.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: White-lined Water Snake

Is the White-lined Water Snake venomous?: Yes. The White-lined Water Snake (Rhabdophis auriculatus) is venomous and belongs to the Colubridae family (keelback (rear-fanged)). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the White-lined Water Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The White-lined Water Snake is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the White-lined Water Snake dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the White-lined Water Snake live?: The White-lined Water Snake has verified records in 2 countries, including Philippines, Germany. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the White-lined Water Snake

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Philippines Germany

More Colubridae 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: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Rhabdophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Rhabdophis auriculatus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.