I have decided to expand on this section as there is a real lack of information on snakes in Hong Kong. Please be patient as this section expands bit by bit as I write the content for it.

The Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department (AFCD) probably have the best information to date on snake species in Hong Kong, however it is very disorganized and difficult to link an image of the snake to the name of the snake without opening multiple windows and getting very confused.

The AFCD inform us that there are 14 native venomous land snakes in Hong Kong, and of those 14, only 8 can inflict fatal bites (if not treated in time). All of the sea snakes in Hong Kong are highly venomous, however they are rarely seen.

I have recently found out through a local Doctor that there has only ever been one fatality from a snake bite in Hong Kong which is very reassuring.

Below is a comprehensive list of snakes in Hong Kong along with how venomous / lethal they are.

Banded Krait - Bungarus fasciatus:

The Banded Krait will most often be found in Villages due to supply of rodents and close proximity of water, however they prefer to reside in open fields. They commonly live in termite mounds and rodent holes close to the waters edge. They are found in a few areas in the New Territories, Hong Kong Island and Lantau Island.

The Banded Krait can be easily identified by alternate black and yellow bands which run down it's triangular shaped body. It's throat is yellow, it has black eyes, and a yellow arrow head marking on the top of it's broad head.

The Banded Krait can grow to a length of about 1.8 metres. The tail tapers off to the size of a finger tip.

This is a venemous snake, however since it is nocturnal and very shy in nature at that, it is rarely seen. If you come across them during the day, they will generally run away or back off. You will find them lying in the grass or curled up in a drain. They are most commonly seen during the rainy season. At night however, when they are more active, they can strike out at you.

The Banded Krait feeds mainly on other snakes such as the Chequred Keelback, Buff-Striped Keelback, Rat Snake, Indo-Chinese Rat Snake or the Cat Snake. It may also eat fish, frogs and snake eggs.

Chinese Cobra - Naja atra:

The Chinese Cobra can be found during the day, however it usually hunts at night. You will generally find it in grasslands, shrubs or mangroves. It will also hide under piles off wood or other similar objects. They are widely distributed throughout Hong Kong. The only Chinese Cobra that we have encountered was during the day on a hike from Tai O to Tung Chung.

The Chinese Cobra is usually dark brown or black in color. Sometimes it may be grey. They usually have a marking on the back of their head or neck that resembles an eye.

They can grow up to a length of about 1.5 metres. The tail tapers off to the size of a finger tip.

Chinese Cobras are venemous, and will strike out when disturbed, raising their head and body, inflating their hood and hissing loudly. This species of snake however, rarely causes death due to the widely available antivenom.

The Chinese Cobra feeds mainly on fish, amphibians, birds and small mammals, as well as other snakes.

Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus helleri):

The Red-necked Keelback is a greenish color over most of it's body, with a reddish section near it's head. It grown to about 70-90cm long and feeds on frogs. The Red-necked Keelback is venomous if bitten by it's rear fangs.

Chinese Mountain Snake (Sibynophis chinensis chinensis):

The Chinese Mountain Snake can be found on forest floors or plantations. This particular snake was seen on Hong Kong Trail Stage 1. We have also seen them on Sunset Peak.

It's head is triangular and it's body is rather slim, with a very long tail. It's head is dark brown with some black markings and it's body is a gray-brown to brown color.

This snake can grow up to 72cm in length, which is quite short. The tail is long and thin.

Chinese Mountain Snakes are non-venomous. They move fast and will generally flee when you get close to them.

This species of snake feeds on frogs, lizards, and other snakes.

Indo-Chinese Rat Snake (Ptyas korros):

The Indo-Chinese Rat Snake also known as the Chinese Ratsnake is commonly found in Southeast Asia and they are harmless.

They differ from the Common Rat Snake (below) in that they are not striped with a brown or olive upper body and a yellow lower surface. Younger snakes may however have transverse whitish spots and/or narrow yellow transverse bars. They can grow up to about 2 metres long.

They prey on rats, frogs and other small vertibrae.

Common Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosus):

The Common Rat Snake is mostly found in urban areas where a large number of rodents can be found. The one pictured below, for example, was found in Wo Tin, a very small village near the Silvermine Bay Waterfall Garden.

It can be identified by the transverse bars over it's pale brown body.

This snake can grow up to a length of about 10 feet. The one pictured below was about 6 feet in length.

The common rat snake is non-venomous and is not dangerous to humans. They may strike out and become aggressive.

It feeds mainly on rodents.