The False Water Cobra (Hydrodynastes gigas) is a venomous colubrid snake. It is not related to the cobra, but it can flatten its neck to make it look larger, just as a cobra does. It does not rear up like a cobra. It is also known as the Brazilian Smooth Snake.

The False Water Cobra is olive-green or brown with dark spots and bands.  It has large eyes with circular pupils. Its colour becomes darker towards its tail. It has good vision. It has rear fangs. Its tongue is black.

False Water Cobra

It measures about 300 centimetres (118 inches) in length.

The False Cobra is native to Central America and South America, in countries such as Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. It is semi-aquatic because it lives for some of its time in water and some of its time on land. It prefers to be near streams or river floodplains in humid areas and marshlands. It likes tropical rain forests.

It is diurnal, active during the day. It is a good climber, swimmer, and burrower.

It eats fish, amphibians, birds, reptiles, and small mammals.

False Water Cobra

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM