2023/06/05
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Venomous Land Snakes in Hong Kong

Among the 14 venomous native land snake species in Hong Kong, only eight can inflict fatal bites (if not treated in time). There is no simple rule to determine whether a snake is venomous. The common view that all venomous snakes have triangular shaped heads is unreliable. The only reliable foolproof way to distinguish the two is to know all snake species well.

 

Unless they are disturbed or defending their territories, under normal circumstances snakes do not actively attack or remain close to people. NEVER attempt to catch a snake to avoid being bitten. For any incident of snakebite, please call Police's hotline 999 immediately for ambulance service attending the scene and sending the injured person to the nearest hospital as soon as possible for professional medical treatment. If a snake enters your house, you should call the Police’s hotline 999 immediately to seek assistance. 

List of venomous land snakes in Hong Kong

 

English Common Name

Species Name

Lethality

Photo 

Banded Krait

Bungarus fasciatus

Lethal

Banded Krait

Many-banded Krait

Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus

Lethal

Many-banded Krait

Chinese Cobra

Naja atra

Lethal

Chinese Cobra

King Cobra

Ophiophagus hannah

Lethal

King Cobra

Tonkin Pit Viper

Ovophis tonkinensis

Lethal

Tonkin Pit Viper

Pointed-scale Pit Viper

Protobothrops mucrosquamatus

Lethal

Pointed-scale Pit Viper

Coral Snake

Sinomicrurus macclellandi

Lethal

Coral Snake

Red-necked Keelback

Rhabdophis subminiatus helleri

Lethal
(if bitten by its rear fangs)

Red-necked Keelback

Bamboo Snake

Trimeresurus albolabris

Rarely lethal

Bamboo Pit Viper 

Large-spotted Cat Snake

Boiga multomaculata

Non-lethal

Large-spotted Cat Snake

Mangrove Water Snake

Myrrophis bennettii

Non-lethal

Mangrove Water Snake

Chinese Water Snake

Myrrophis chinensis

Non-lethal

Chinese Water Snake

Plumbeous Water Snake

Hypsiscopus plumbea

Non-lethal

Plumbeous Water Snake

Mock Viper 

Psammodynastes pulverulentus

Non-lethal

Mock Viper

 

Please search the Hong Kong Biodiversity Database for more details of the species.