Snakes in Korea
Korea has around eight venomous species, with the mamushi being the most dangerous snake in the country. Of the large snake species, the amur rat snake is one of the largest in the country, growing to a length of 70 inches.
The common snakes in North Korea include David’s rat snake, the Korean beauty snake, and the common European adder. In South Korea, one could find species like the ussuri mamushi, central Asian pit viper, and short-tailed mamushi.
| Groups | Venomous | Non-venomous |
|---|---|---|
| Adders | Common European Adder | – |
| Pit Vipers | Central Asian Pit Viper | – |
| Garter Snakes | – | Chinese Garter Snake |
Gloydius | Mamushi Ussuri Mamushi Short-tailed Mamushi | – |
Rhabdophis | Tiger Keelback | – |
| Hydrophis | Annulated Sea Snake Slender-necked Sea Snake Yellow-bellied Sea Snake | – |
Elaphe | – | Russian Ratsnake David’s Ratsnake Dione’s Ratsnake Amur Ratsnake |
| Lycodon | – | Red-banded Snake |
| Orthriophis | – | Korean Beauty Snake |
| Platyceps | – | Slender Racer Snake |
| Sibynophis | – | Collared Black-headed Snake |
