In order to enforce the conservation program and curbing the illegal trading and consumption of endangered snake species, the value of cytochrome b sequence in the authentication of snake species was evaluated. As an illustration, DNA was extracted, selected cytochrome b DNA sequences amplified and sequenced from six snakes commonly consumed in Hong Kong. Cataloging with sequences available in public, a cytochrome b database containing 90 species of snakes was constructed. In this database, sequence homology between snakes ranged from 70.68 to 95.11%. On the other hand, intraspecific variation of three tested snakes was 0-0.98%. Using the database, we were able to determine the identity of six meat samples confiscated by the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, HKSAR.