| 1 | Oriental ratsnake |
The oriental ratsnake is possibly the most abundant snake in Hong Kong full stop. This species reaches a brutish 255cm, and aren’t bothered slightly by the industrialised nature of Hong Kong. They slither down the streets, through gardens, and along stone pavements, searching eagerly for their next meal.
Oriental ratsnakes are non-venomous, and will normally flee if approached by humans. However, they may stand their ground, spread their neck to mimic a cobra, and deliver a painful bite. Oriental ratsnakes can rear their heads on Hong Kong’s many jogging tails, and weave through water culverts searching for frogs, their main prey. They also eat a helping of mammals, and birds like house sparrows, but amphibians constitute over 50% of their prey, one favourite in Hong Kong being the Asian common toad (Bufo melanostictus). Oriental ratsnakes have also been found in roofs in Hong Kong, with their heads poking out of wooden rafters. As they move during the day, they’re encounted regularly by ordinary Hong Kong citizens.
Oriental ratsnakes have multiple skills. They can climb, swim, and blast into the undergrowth to equal effect. This species also holds another record. Snake soup and meat is a booming industry in southeast Asia, and in 2011 scientists obtained 16 snake meat samples from shops around Hong Kong. The verdict: oriental ratsnakes were the most common, with Javan spitting cobras coming second.
| 2 | Greater green snake |
This species belongs to the same Ptyas family as oriental ratsnakes, yet with their leafy green scales, there’s no chance of confusing them. In fact, the greater green snake has a problem its cousin doesn’t: being mistaken for bamboo pitvipers and whacked to death. In reality, this snake is non-venomous, and flees into the bushes (where its camouflage is superb) if frightened.
Greater green snakes have a thin body, and eat a diet of earthworms. Consequently, they can be found anywhere in Hong Kong with soft soils: less likely in a water culvert, but soft grassy ground in a playpark, a meadow, or a riverbank. Greater green snakes are encountered commonly in Hong Kong, normally on the ground, while at night they seek refuge on high branches. This snake moves during the day, and has round pupils, with a brown-orange iris. Greater green snakes bite occasionally, but are incapable of doing much damage due to their small mouths.
Ptyas major averages at 70-90cm, pushing to a maximum of 120cm. This snake is widespread in southeast China, and also reaches northern Laos and Vietnam, but isn’t found in Thailand.
| 3 | White-browed keelback |
A much rarer Hong Kong snake species. White-browed keelbacks not only move by night, but avoid inhabited areas. They’re most common near water bodies in forests, such as small rocky streams, and their camouflage is superb. Hebius boulengeri has a simple ID sign: a snowy white stripe extending backwards from each eye. They have round eyes with a bronze iris, and a mostly black tongue but with a white centre. White-browed keelbacks are typically black with a honey-brown stripe on each flank.
This species is no threat to humans, but is rarely encountered and may possess secret skills. They were once observed with a white dribble of liquid on their neck, which could easily be poisonous (like the tiger keelback of Japan). White-browed keelbacks will coil into a small ball to protect their brains, and coil around a human finger if picked up. If startled, they dart quickly into leafy cover.
White-browed keelbacks have never been observed to bite, and most Hong Kong citizens don’t even know they exist. This species has been recorded eating small amphibians, in rocky stream habitats. Note of confusion: this species is occasionally called the Boulenger’s keelback, which is also a separate Sri Lankan species (Fowlea asperrima).
| 4 | Radiated ratsnake |
Another common species in Hong Kong, occurring in every region. The signature of the radiated ratsnake (Coelognathus radiatus) is its extreme speed. This snake can disappear into the undergrowth in the blink of an eye, and they also possess an aggressive temperament. They prefer to flee, but will strike furiously and deliver slashing bites to your arm if cornered against a wall.
Radiated ratsnakes also have a terrifying defensive display. They bare their mouths like a lunatic and puff their neck up, and with large eyes they succeed at intimidation more than most non-venomous snakes. Radiated ratsnakes move by day, and have beige patterns overlaid with long black stripes and the occasional white line between scales. They reach a maximum of 200cm, and are usually found in open grassy areas.
Radiated ratsnakes dislike dense forests or misty hills. Consequently, they’re encountered regularly by ordinary Hong Kong citizens, usually without incident. Like oriental ratsnakes, they’re multi-skilled snakes which can swim across rivers, climb trees, and slither confidently down pavements.
| 5 | Diamond-backed watersnake |
This species prefers to hang out in rivers, away from the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong’s busy streets. Trimerodytes aequifasciata isn’t rare, but will never appear outside a fruit shop or block of flats. They stick to deep bodies of fresh water – small lakes or slow-moving streams. They’re decent climbers and their favourite place is a branch directly overhanging water, which allows them to leap down when their danger sensors pick up a slight flicker of activity.
This snake varies in appearance, but is usually grey with brown patterns like hourglasses, each with a creamy core. Diamond-backed watersnakes exceed 200cm, and have a thick body, making them one of Asia’s larger snakes that nobody ever talks about. Trimerodytes aequifasciata inhabits southeast China, northern Vietnam, and northern Laos, but Hong Kong is a particular base.
Diamond-backed watersnakes are no threat to humans. Their teeth are no joke, but they’re strangely reluctant to use them, and normally dive for safety in water. This snake mainly preys on fish, occasionally amphibians. They have amber eyes with a round pupil, and a thick set head.
| 6 | Anderson’s stream snake |
A nocturnal snake, which is common all over Hong Kong. This is a harmless, 30cm species which often blends into muddy banks because of its muddy brown colours. Anderson’s stream snake is completely non-aggressive and has no desire to harm a human. Though a freak occurrence can’t be ruled out, they rarely bite even if picked up, nor do they squirm frantically. Anderson’s stream snakes particularly favour shallow, rocky rivers, where they can swell to large numbers. Their bodies are adapted to this habitat, with a narrow head that they force between rocks to seize shrimp, one of their favourite prey.
Opisthotropis andersonii also has a liking for earthworms, and immediately after heavy rains, they’ll suddenly appear on trails bordering rivers.
Anderson’s stream snakes have few patterns, and have a green-grey body with a whitish underbelly. A rocky, slow-moving stream is their absolute favourite habitat, and luckily, there are no dangerously venomous snakes in Hong Kong which they resemble, so you won’t be lulled into a death trap, thinking you’re safe. Opisthotropis is an obscure snake family, yet it has 25 members across southeast Asia.
| 7 | Taiwan kukri snake |
A non-venomous snake measuring 40-60cm. This species inhabits southeast China, northern Laos and northern Vietnam, with Hong Kong and Taiwan being their main hotspots. The Taiwan kukri snake lives in forests, yet sticks to the ground. They never appear in the streets of Hong Kong, but are a regular sight in nature trails through forests. Oligodon formosanus vary significantly in appearance. They’re normally some variation on brown – brown with a neon orange vertebral stripe, brown with a reddish tint, brown of dark and light shades, etc.
Taiwan kukri snakes are perfectly harmless, as long as you don’t pick them up. This snake reaches an average of 50cm, yet is much more troublesome than the diamond-backed watersnake (1.5 metres). Oligodon formosanus have modified teeth designed for hacking through calcified reptile egg shells, but these double up as defence tools.
They can deliver several slashing bites to a human arm in rapid succession, making picking them up most unwise. If left alone, this species flees into the bushes. If you want to meet Oligodon formosanus, dusk or early morning is the best time.
| 8 | Chinese slug snake |
A slow-moving snake which scans the forest for slugs to swallow up. Pareas chinensis not only climbs branches, but curls continuously around them as they slither, like a twisting piece of spaghetti. This snake measures 30-40cm and cannot hurt humans, lacking venom or even sharp teeth. They never bite and their main strategy when flustered is to remain completely still clinging to their branch.
Chinese slug snakes are a rare species in Hong Kong, which are mainly found in forests, near misty streams. They eat snails and slugs exclusively, with no occasional rat snack. See this video for footage of one.
Compared to the common slug snake (Paras carinatus) found in Thailand, this version has a high amount of black bands. Chinese slug snakes have large eyes with a rich orange colour. They not only have black bands, but a smattering of black dots like a pepper shaker explosion. Their weirdest physical feature is being translucent when held up to light. There’s no chance of confusing the Chinese slug snake for another snake nearby. Their relative the white-spotted slug snake also lives on Hong Kong, but could never be confused, with a completely different colour scheme.
| 9 | Futsing wolf snake |
A species which isn’t rare in Hong Kong, but sticks to woods and forests. The Futsing wolf snake is non-venomous, and reaches 60-80cm. There’s endless wolf snakes in southeast Asia, but Lycodon futsingensis is recognisable by the large white patch on its head. Its face is extremely black, while the rest is black alternating against white.
If you see this snake in Hong Kong, then don’t approach! They’re perfectly harmless, and will normally flee for the bushes if humans wander past chatting. The reason is a close resemble to the deadly venomous many-banded krait, which also inhabits Hong Kong. The white and black bands are extremely difficult to distinguish for a beginner. It may not be a Futsing wolf snake you’re seeing at all.
This species normally moves slowly and carefully, not wanting to miss any scent clues. However, they move rapidly if startled. Futsing wolf snakes mainly stick to the ground in forests, rather than climbing branches. A leafy forest floor is their favourite place of all. The white patches vary with Lycodon futsingensis, as they can sometimes be darker, closer to gold instead.
| 10 | Banded stream snake |
A relative of the diamond-backed watersnake. This version (Trimerodytes balteata) is easy to distinguish thanks to its vividly contrasting black and orange bands. On their belly, the orange vanishes and alternating black and white takes over.
The banded watersnake is a nimble dweller of freshwater habitats in Hong Kong like slow-moving rivers and wetlands. They rarely leave these water bodies, except after heavy downpours. Hence, they’re rarely seen by citizens of Hong Kong. Banded watersnakes are skilful in their watery realms, as they can probe into muddy shores, and even sift through submerged root systems to find the fish prey they’re specialised for. You’d probably only meet Trimerodytes balteata if you fell face first into a marsh, and even then, they’re harmless. Banded watersnakes will only bite if harassed, and the worst they do is produce a foul snake smell.
Banded watersnakes reach 40-60cm and have round pupils with virtually black eyes. They sometimes stray to land and rest on moist rocks amidst a nest of leaves. Up close, this is actually one of the most detailed snakes around, as there’s a constant speckle of neon orange covering their body in endless dots and lines.