Range: Eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, Southern Brazil and Argentina.
Habitat: Tropical lowland forests near water.
Description: This large and heavy snake is primarily diurnal and is a very active and aggressive predator. This snake may attain lengths of up to 10 feet, but lengths of up to 6-7 feet are more common. This snake tends to be a light creamy tan color with brown saddles running the length of the body.
Adaptations/Habitat: Although the common name of this snake is “False Water Cobra,” it is in no way related to a cobra or any other elapids. This snake is a colubrid snake and is more closely related to king snakes and gopher snakes. The false water cobra is similar to cobras in the sense that they both display hoods around their neck region as a defensive display, to appear larger than they actually are. However, the false water cobra remains horizontal and does not raise itself up like a true cobra. False water cobras are also mildly venomous and the venom is delivered via rear-fangs. Rear-fangs are not a very efficient method of venom delivery and often require the snake to hold onto the prey item and chew the venom into the prey to subdue it. The venom of false water cobras is primarily proteolytic, which causes cells to break down and actually facilitates and speeds up digestion.
Breeding/Growth: Oviparous: may lay up to 36 eggs per year.
Diet: Omnivores: will eat just about anything they can overpower, which includes: fish, toads, frogs, turtles, birds, mammals, snakes, and lizards.
Exhibit: Aquarium Complex
Notes: Deforestation poses the greatest threat to this species. False water cobras are not dangerous to humans, their venom is mildly poisonous. Reports of serious bites usually occur when a snake holds on and chews its venom into the wound, or if the victim has an allergic reaction to the venom.
