Enhydris chinensis (Gray, 1842)
Chinese Water Snake 中國水蛇
(Mildly venomous)
* Photos taken from Guangdong China
Suborder
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Black spots may be absent in some individuals.
Ventrals yellowish white, each scale with brown margin.
Head rounded, distinct from neck.
Nostrils open on top of head. Two short fangs at the back of upper jaw.
Dorsal scales smooth.
Mildly venomous with rear fangs.
Aquatic. Can live in freshwater or brackish water.
Lowland species; Found in cultivated areas, slow streams and particularly in fish ponds, where it may occur in large number.
Often hides under boards or other debris on banks of drying ponds.
Like Plumbeous Water Snake (Enhydris plumbea), wanders onto land on rainy night.
When disturbed, flattens the body and bends the neck into a S-shape as a threat display.
May snap viciously. Snakebite by this snake is rare locally.
Mildly venomous, snakebite symptoms include swelling of wound, headache and nausea.
Symptoms subsequently disappear without treatment.
Hatchling 10 - 13 cm in total length.
Widely distributed over northern and central New Territories.
Absent from small islands. Because of dietary and habitat preferences, is rarely sympatric with Enhydris plumbea.
Occurs in central and southern China, Taiwan, and northern Vietnam
