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 |
Lethal |
 |
|
|
Many-banded Krait |
This link will open in a new windowBungarus multicinctus multicinctus |
Lethal |
 |
|
Chinese Cobra |
Lethal |
 |
|
|
King Cobra |
Lethal |
 |
|
|
Tonkin Pit Viper |
Lethal |
 |
|
|
Pointed-scale Pit Viper |
This link will open in a new windowProtobothrops mucrosquamatus |
Lethal |
 |
|
Coral Snake |
This link will open in a new windowSinomicrurus macclellandi |
Lethal |
 |
|
Red-necked Keelback |
This link will open in a new windowRhabdophis subminiatus helleri |
Lethal |
 |
|
Bamboo Snake |
Rarely lethal |
 |
|
|
Large-spotted Cat Snake |
Non-lethal |
 |
|
|
Mangrove Water Snake |
Non-lethal |
 |
|
|
Chinese Water Snake |
Non-lethal |
 |
|
|
Plumbeous Water Snake |
Non-lethal |
 |
|
|
Mock Viper |
This link will open in a new windowPsammodynastes pulverulentus |
Non-lethal |
 |
Please search the This link will open in a new windowHong Kong Biodiversity Database for more details of the species.
