Popular snake cartoon characters include Rattlesnake Jake, Viper, Sir Hiss, Ekans, Eva, Ushari, and Kaa from The Jungle Book.
And let me be honest right up front.
Cartoons gave me snake trust issues.
Snakes slither in, the music gets creepy, and suddenly I’m bracing for betrayal. It’s basically a childhood conditioning program.
But here’s the thing. Some animated snakes are genuinely charming. Some are hilarious. Some are so well designed that I can’t even be mad they’re villains.
What I’m actually doing in this post:
- ✅ I’m sharing the snake characters I remember for a reason, not just a list of names.
- 💡 I’m calling out which ones are villains, which ones are sweethearts, and which ones are both.
- 🚀 I’m answering the common questions people keep Googling, especially the Pokémon and Disney ones.
why are snakes portrayed as villains in cartoons
I’ve watched enough cartoons to notice the pattern.
Snakes get coded as “danger” fast because they’re already visually intense. No legs. Silent movement. Sudden strikes. Eyes that feel like they’re staring straight through you.
Storytelling-wise, that’s convenient. You don’t need to explain why a snake is suspicious. The audience fills in the blanks for you.
In my experience, cartoons use snakes as villains because:
- ✅ Body language does the work: slithering reads as sneaky, even when the character is innocent.
- 💡 Hypnosis is an easy gimmick: it looks cool and instantly creates stakes.
- 🚀 They make great contrast characters: a loud hero versus a quiet snake is a classic setup.
- ✅ Real snakes are misunderstood: so writers lean into fear instead of facts. If you want the real-world basics, I trust sources like Britannica’s overview of snakes.
My hot take is simple.
The best cartoon snakes are not scary because they’re “evil.” They’re scary because they’re calm.
Calm snake characters always feel like they know something you don’t.
The ultimate list of iconic snake characters in cartoons
Despite the baggage snakes get in pop culture, these animated characters still win people over. Including me. Sometimes against my better judgment.
13Slippy – Sid’s Snake
- ✅ Vibe: gentle giant, absurdly patient
- 💡 Why I remember him: he’s powerful, but he never throws it in anyone’s face
- 🚀 What makes him different: he’s the rare “big snake” who isn’t written like a monster
Slippy is basically the snake equivalent of the friend who could win any fight but refuses to start one.
I respect that energy. Especially in animation, where snakes are usually written as walking jump scares.
12King Hiss – Masters of the Universe
- ✅ Vibe: final boss villain, pure intimidation
- 💡 Why he’s iconic: he feels like a whole faction, not just one bad guy
- 🚀 My take: Snake Men lore is peak cartoon “mythology building”
King Hiss is the kind of character that makes a hero feel smaller.
Not because he’s louder. Because he feels ancient and strategic.
Ekans evolution and type in Pokémon
Pokémon does something sneaky with snake designs.
It makes them cute enough to collect, then reminds you they’re still predators.
I love that balance. It feels more honest than the usual “snakes equal evil” trope.
11Ekans – Pokémon
- ✅ Type: Poison
- 💡 Evolution: Ekans evolves into Arbok
- 🚀 Why it’s memorable: the name is literally “snake” backwards, and I still think that’s clever
Ekans is basic, iconic, and weirdly charming.
It’s also one of those designs that proves you don’t need a complicated concept to make something memorable. You just need a clean silhouette and a clear idea.
10Seviper – Pokémon
- ✅ Vibe: aggressive, territorial, built for intimidation
- 💡 Design detail I notice: the red fangs and contrasting face colors make it feel dangerous
- 🚀 Why it belongs here: it’s one of the most “snake-first” Pokémon designs
Seviper looks like it would steal your lunch and then glare at you for noticing.
It’s not trying to be cute. It’s trying to be a threat. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want from a snake character.
Best Disney Snake Characters
Disney understands something about snake characters that a lot of studios miss.
A good Disney snake is not just scary. It’s theatrical.
It talks. It performs. It sells the moment.
My personal Disney snake shortlist:
- ✅ Kaa for hypnotic charm
- 💡 Sir Hiss for villain sidekick chaos
- 🚀 Jafar’s snake form for nightmare fuel
- ✅ Ushari for modern animated villain energy
- 💡 Juju for the “helpful serpent” twist
9Jafar – Aladdin
- ✅ Vibe: power-hungry villain who escalates into full cobra nightmare
- 💡 Why it sticks: that transformation is a pure “oh no” moment
- 🚀 My take: Disney knew exactly how to make a snake feel massive and personal
Jafar’s snake form is one of those scenes that changes the temperature of the room.
It’s not just “a villain gets stronger.” It’s “a villain becomes a predator.”
8Ushari Disney Cartoon Snake Character
- ✅ Vibe: manipulative cobra villain, always plotting
- 💡 Why he’s effective: his hood acts like a facial expression amplifier
- 🚀 My take: he’s written like a professional instigator
Ushari is the kind of villain who doesn’t need to win fights.
He wins arguments. He wins influence. He wins by getting other people to do the dirty work.
I’ve always found that more realistic, and therefore more annoying, in the best way.
7Juju – The Princess and the Frog
- ✅ Vibe: friendly guide, protective energy
- 💡 Why I like her inclusion: she breaks the “snake equals villain” formula
- 🚀 Design note: bright color and expressive face make her feel approachable
I always perk up when an animated story lets a snake be helpful without a hidden agenda.
It feels like the writers are saying, “Yeah, we know the trope. We’re choosing something else.”
Who is Kaa in The Jungle Book and Is He a Villain
Kaa is the snake character people argue about.
Is he a villain. Is he comic relief. Is he both.
In my experience, he’s a villain in function, but charming enough that audiences almost forget that’s what he’s doing.
6Kaa – The Jungle Book
- ✅ Vibe: hypnotic trickster, smooth talker
- 💡 Signature move: hypnosis, obviously
- 🚀 Why he’s iconic: he’s creepy and funny in the same scene
Kaa is the reason so many cartoons think hypnosis is a snake requirement.
He made it look stylish. He made it sound smooth. He made villainy feel like a performance.
I can dislike what he’s doing and still admit he’s entertaining. That’s the power of a well-written cartoon snake.
5Sir Hiss – Robin Hood
- ✅ Vibe: villain assistant who thinks he’s running the kingdom
- 💡 Why I enjoy him: he’s smug, but constantly humbled
- 🚀 My take: he’s a great reminder that snakes can be funny villains, not just terrifying ones
Sir Hiss is not the “I will eat you” snake. He’s the “I will advise your boss into disaster” snake.
That flavor of villainy is oddly satisfying to watch, especially when it backfires.
The Snakes Who Feel Like Action Heroes
Some snake characters are built to scare you.
Others are built to impress you.
These are the ones that make me pause and go, “Okay, that’s actually cool.”
4Viper – Kung Fu Panda
- ✅ Vibe: kind teammate, lethal fighter when it counts
- 💡 Why she stands out: she’s a role model without being preachy
- 🚀 My favorite detail: the animators make her movement look graceful, not creepy
I love Viper because she proves a snake character doesn’t have to be villain-coded to be powerful.
She’s competent. She’s calm. She’s supportive.
And when she fights, she looks like she belongs in the Furious Five. No apologies.
Rattlesnake Jake snake species and voice actor
3Rattlesnake Jake – Rango
- ✅ Snake species: western diamondback rattlesnake
- 💡 Voice actor: Bill Nighy
- 🚀 Why he’s unforgettable: a Gatling gun rattle is an absurd concept that somehow works perfectly
Rattlesnake Jake is one of the coolest snake designs I’ve ever seen in animation.
He feels like a myth. Like a warning story people tell in the desert to keep kids from wandering off.
And the voice casting is a huge part of it. That calm delivery makes him feel inevitable. Like running is already too late.
More snake characters that deserve a spot
2Eva – Sahara
- ✅ Vibe: raised on fear, shaped by bias
- 💡 What stands out: the story treats snake society like a real community, not a joke
- 🚀 Design note: her mom is drawn with that slender, stylized look you see in skinny cartoon characters
Eva’s story hits because it’s not just “snake versus hero.”
It’s about how fear gets taught, then recycled, then passed down like it’s truth.
1Sandiramon – Digimon Tamers
- ✅ Vibe: chaos monster, unstoppable energy
- 💡 Why it’s memorable: the stakes feel real, not cartoonish
- 🚀 My take: Digimon snakes tend to be “event villains” and Sandiramon proves why
Sandiramon is not a cute snake cameo.
It’s a full threat. It’s written like a disaster that happens to have scales.
My quick summary:
- ✅ If you want hypnotic charm, I’m picking Kaa.
- 💡 If you want an action hero snake, I’m picking Viper.
- 🚀 If you want pure intimidation, I’m picking Rattlesnake Jake.
- ✅ If you want classic Pokémon snake energy, I’m picking Ekans and Seviper.
Frequently Asked Questions
why are snakes portrayed as villains in cartoons
In my experience, it’s visual shorthand. Snakes move quietly, strike fast, and feel unpredictable, so writers use them as instant tension. It’s a trope that sticks because it’s easy, even when it isn’t fair to actual snakes.
best Disney snake characters
My picks are Kaa, Sir Hiss, Jafar’s cobra form, and Ushari. Disney snake characters tend to be theatrical, expressive, and a little funny, which is why they’re so memorable even when they’re doing villain stuff.
who is Kaa in The Jungle Book and is he a villain
Kaa is the hypnotic python in The Jungle Book. I consider him a villain because his goal is still to capture Mowgli, but he’s written with enough charm and humor that people remember him fondly anyway.
Ekans evolution and type in Pokémon
Ekans is a Poison-type Pokémon that evolves into Arbok. I still think Ekans stays popular because the design is simple, readable, and clever, especially with the name being “snake” backwards.
Rattlesnake Jake snake species and voice actor
Rattlesnake Jake is designed as a western diamondback rattlesnake, and he’s voiced by Bill Nighy. The combination of realistic rattlesnake menace and the ridiculous Gatling gun rattle is exactly why he’s so iconic to me.
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THE HYPNOTIC & SNEAKY MANIPULATORS 🐍😵💫
1. Kaa (The Jungle Book)
– Role: The Indian Python who constantly tries to eat Mowgli.
– Iconic Trait: “Trusssst in me…” Uses hypnotic swirly eyes to lull victims to sleep.
2. Sir Hiss (Robin Hood)
– Role: Prince John’s advisor.
– Iconic Trait: Tries to warn the Prince but gets stuffed into a basket. “Hiss! You’re never around when I need you!”
3. Jafar (Aladdin)
– Role: Sorcerer who transforms into a giant cobra for the final battle.
– Iconic Trait: “The universe is mine to command, to control!”
4. Savio (The Penguins of Madagascar)
– Role: A giant boa constrictor who is highly intelligent, dangerous, and loves to eat lemurs.
THE “EVIL” & VILLAINOUS SNAKES ☠️🦷
5. Nagini (Harry Potter – Animated/CGI scenes)
– Role: Voldemort’s Horcrux and loyal servant.
6. Rattlesnake Jake (Rango)
– Role: The Grim Reaper of the West. A terrifying rattlesnake with a Gatling gun for a rattle.
7. Orochimaru (Naruto)
– Role: The Snake Sannin. While human-ish, he summons giant snakes (Manda), sheds his skin, and transforms into a white snake hydra.
8. The Great Devourer (Ninjago)
– Role: A legendary giant snake that grows larger the more it consumes.
9. Pythor (Ninjago)
– Role: The last Anacondrai. A purple snake-man with a long neck and a scheming personality.
10. Cobra (Fairy Tail)
– Role: A Dragon Slayer who uses poison magic and hears thoughts. Has a pet snake named Cubellios.
THE “HELPFUL” & GOOD SNAKES 🛡️💚
11. Master Viper (Kung Fu Panda)
– Role: A member of the Furious Five.
– Iconic Trait: The “mom” of the group. She has no fangs, so she fights using ribbon-dancing fluidity.
12. Craig (Sanjay and Craig)
– Role: A talking snake who is Sanjay’s best friend. He is a master of disguise and loves chicken wings.
13. Larry (The Wild)
– Role: An anaconda who is actually dim-witted and friendly, despite looking scary.
14. Adder (The Animals of Farthing Wood)
– Role: A snake who helps the other animals migrate, though she remains cynical and aloof.
15. Snake (The Powerpuff Girls)
– Role: A member of the Gangreen Gang. Not a reptile, but a delinquent with green skin and a hissing voice.
ANIME & POKÉMON SNAKES 🎌🟣
16. Ekans / Arbok (Pokémon)
– Role: Jessie’s loyal Pokémon (Team Rocket). “Charrbok!” Known for wrapping up victims.
17. Seviper (Pokémon)
– Role: Jessie’s Hoenn replacement. The blade-tailed rival to Zangoose.
18. Onix / Steelix (Pokémon)
– Role: The Rock Snake Pokémon. A giant chain of boulders.
19. Serperior (Pokémon)
– Role: The regal grass snake starter (Snivy evolution).
20. Snake Princess / Boa Hancock (One Piece)
– *Note:* A human, but the “Snake Princess” of Amazon Lily, accompanied by her snake weapon **Salome**.
21. Mizuki (Kamisama Kiss)
– Role: A white snake familiar. He is clingy, loves sake, and is fiercely loyal to Nanami.
22. Ayame Sohma (Fruits Basket)
– Role: The Snake of the Zodiac. Flamboyant, loud, and confident (unlike the usual sneaky snake trope).
VIDEO GAME & MISC SNAKES 🎮📺
23. Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
– *Note:* Human, but often depicted in animated parodies/shorts.
24. Snake Jafar (Aladdin TV Series)
– Role: Recurring threat.
25. Blue Racer (The Tortoise and the Hare – Disney)
– Role: The blue snake that acts as a boundary line? No, the **Blue Racer** had his own DePatie-Freleng theatrical shorts.
26. Coily (Q*bert / Wreck-It Ralph)
– Role: The purple hopping snake villain from the arcade game.
27. Quickstrike (Beast Wars: Transformers)
– Role: A Fuzor who is half-scorpion, half-cobra. Talks like a cowboy.