Is there a difference in the shape of the tails between water and land based snakes?

Question

My son would like to know if the shape of a water snake tail is different than that of a land snake to help it move through the water

Answer 1

yep.

some at least sea snakes have flat paddle like tails.

http://www.1-costaricalink.com/costa_ric...

Answer 2

Jim and linlyons are both correct. Sea snakes have a paddle shaped tail, and live primarily in the water. Several snakes are considered water snakes (anacondas, brown water snakes, green water snakes, banded water snakes, and many others with "water snake" in their name), but they have tails like any terrestrial snake would. All snakes are very adept swimmers, regardless of tail shape.

Answer 3

Yes, a water based snake's tail is flat like a paddle so that it can swim. A land based snake's tail is normal so it can move around easier.

Answer 4

For the most part, no.  You see there is only one truly aquatic snake.  That is the sea snakes.  Yes their tails are flatten dorso-ventrally.  Which allows them to swim through water.