Different snakes are called water snakes. Most are colubrids. "Water snake" is also sometimes used as a descriptive term for any snakes that spend a significant time in or near fresh water, such as any species belonging to the family Acrochordidae. They should not be confused with sea snakes, which live primarily or entirely in marine environments.
Examples of snakes called water snakes include:
- Enhydris species, including:
- Enhydris chinensis – Chinese Water Snake
- Enhydris dussumieri – Dussumier's Water Snake
- Enhydris enhydris – Rainbow Water Snake
- Enhydris sieboldi – Siebold's Water Snake
- Helicops species, including:
- Helicops angulatus – Brown-banded Water Snake
- Hydrodynastes species, including:
- Hydrodynastes gigas – False Water Snake or Brazilian Smooth Snake
- Liophis species, including:
- Liophis cobellus
- Liophis reginae
- Nerodia species
- Opisthotropis species
- Sinonatrix species, including:
- Sinonatrix percarinata – Eastern Water Snake
- Xenochrophis species, including:
- Xenochrophis piscator – Asiatic Water Snake or Chequered Keelback
Famous quotes containing the words water and/or snake:
“We can never part with it; the mind loves its old home: as water to our thirst, so is the rock, the ground, to our eyes, and hands, and feet. It is firm water: it is cold flame: what health, what affinity!”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“The Gospel of the army is cunning, as of all other human activities. The wisdom of the snake under the meekness of the sheep is what wins out.
The first Commandment is—never let them get anything on you—
The second: Graft—get privileges others haven’t got—worm yourself into confidence
The Third—seem neat and prosperous—as if you had money in the bank—”
—John Dos Passos (1896–1970)