Is the red ring snake poisonous?

The red ring snake is also called the red-banded snake, and its name is mainly derived from its appearance. People are very afraid of snakes, mainly because their appearance makes people shudder, but the key is that many snakes are poisonous. Once bitten, it can be fatal. Therefore, no matter what kind of snake you encounter, your first impression is to stay away from it. So, is the red ring snake poisonous? Let’s take a closer look below.

Generally considered to be non-venomous.

It is crucial to understand that the term "non-venomous" is used to refer to snakes that do not contain venom (the traditional comprehensive definition of the word "venom" is: a complex substance produced by a specialized gland, transmitted by a specialized organ, harmful in sufficient amounts to the organism, used to subdue prey, digest prey, or for defense), and also to snakes that produce oral secretions that may contain toxins commonly found in snake venom but do not play any role in their survival. Thus, it is entirely possible that "non-venomous" species could have serious medical consequences for the victim, while their oral products could not be considered "harmless" using a different terminology system. This means that in a strictly biological sense, "venom" cannot be interpreted as necessarily medically dangerous, and "toxic oral secretions" or "secretions of the Dawson glands" should similarly not be interpreted as harmless.

Red-banded snake bites have caused relatively serious adverse reactions and should be treated with caution. If any symptoms occur, seek medical attention immediately.

The red-banded snake is widely distributed in the country. It is distributed in all provinces (regions) in China except western Inner Mongolia to Xinjiang and Tibet. It is found abroad in Korea, Japan and other places, among which the Wallace subspecies (Lycodon rufozonatus walli) is distributed in Japan. Most of them live in fields, mountains, plains, hills and near water areas, and often appear around houses. They are often found in villagers' homes (in suburban areas around cities, suburbs and gardens in cities). They eat toads, frogs, lizards, fish, mice, snakes, birds, animal carcasses, etc. They make their nests in tree holes, grave holes, burrows in the ground, or under stone piles or tiles. They are often found in and near abandoned earthen kilns in the wild. It is a nocturnal snake that mostly appears in the evening and is active most frequently after 10 pm. During the day, it hides in wall cracks, rocks, and caves. When encountering an enemy, it will bury its head deep under its body and shake its tail to warn. If the warning is ineffective, it will bend into an S shape to launch an attack. It usually hibernates in late November (Wuhu, Anhui) and comes out of hibernation in mid-March of the following year.

I think everyone should have a clear understanding of whether the red ring snake is poisonous. Although the red ring snake is not poisonous, it does not mean that the bite will not have any impact on our body and needs to be treated in time. In addition, there are many types of snakes. When we are not sure whether they are poisonous, it is best not to provoke them to avoid more serious consequences.