False Water Cobra
Hydrodynastes gigas • Order: Squamata; Suborder: Serpentes; Family: Colubridae; Subfamily: Dipsadinae; Genus: Hydrodynastes; Species: H. gigas
Venomous Status
Venomous (Rear-fanged / Opisthoglyphous). They possess Duvernoy's glands and enlarged teeth at the back of the maxilla.
Danger Level
Low to Moderate Risk. While they are usually not aggressive, their size and their ability to deliver a significant amount of venom through chewing can cause painful medical symptoms.
Geographic Range
Found in South America, specifically Brazil, eastern Bolivia, Paraguay, and northern Argentina. It is often found in the Pantanal and surrounding drainage basins.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, though they face local threats from habitat destruction and the exotic pet trade.
Physical Description
Large bodied with a brownish-tan base color and dark irregular banding or blotches. Features a distinctive dark streak behind the eye. The head is relatively large and distinct from the neck, with large eyes and circular pupils. Scales are smooth.
Size & Dimensions
The specimen in the image appears to be a large adult. Typical adult lengths range from 2 to 3 meters (6.5 to 10 feet), making them one of the longest colubrids.
Habitat
Primarily semi-aquatic, favoring wetlands, marshes, swamps, and tropical humid forests near water sources. They are often found in areas that flood seasonally.
Behavior & Temperament
Diurnal and highly active foragers. They are known for a hooding defensive display, flattening the neck like a cobra (hence the name). They are inquisitive and intelligent.
Diet & Feeding
Generalist carnivores that consume fish, amphibians, small mammals, birds, and other reptiles. They are active hunters that use a combination of simple constriction and venom to subdue prey.
Reproduction
Oviparous (egg-laying). Females lay clutches of 10 to 30 eggs. Incubation typically takes about 60-80 days depending on temperature.
Venom Profile
Venom Type
The venom is primarily proteolytic and exhibits anticoagulant properties. Bites can cause localized swelling, bruising, and pain, but are generally not considered life-threatening to healthy humans.
AI-generated — see a qualified source if acting on this. For any snakebite, call emergency services immediately.
Look-alikes
True Cobras (Naja spp.) are confused due to the hooding behavior, but true cobras are Elapids and located in Africa/Asia. It may also be confused with the Cribo (Drymarchon) based on size and color.
Conservation Status
Listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, though they face local threats from habitat destruction and the exotic pet trade.
Cultural Significance
Commonly kept by advanced herpetoculturists due to their high intelligence and active nature. They play a vital role in wetland ecosystems by controlling amphibian and rodent populations.
Notable Features
Famous for its specialized neck-flattening 'hooding' behavior used to intimidate predators, which is a remarkable example of convergent evolution with true cobras.