Banded Kukri
Oligodon arnensis
Description 3
INTRODUCTION
- Non Venomous
- Other names : Common Kukri Snake, Indian Kukri Snake
- Kukri snakes range from India to SE Asia & southern China too.
- Has specialized curved teeth shaped like Kukri Knives to slit open eggs.
IDENTIFICATION
- Small snakes with smooth, glossy scales on dorsal and belly is enamel white.
- Greyish brown dorsal with black bands from neck to tail. Bands usually broad on top, tapers on flank.
- Small eyes with round pupils, large A-shaped rostral (snout) and distinct arrowhead design on top of head.
- Juveniles have much denser bands. Adults grow to 1-1.5 feet on average.
DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT
- Common throughout India including deserts & Himalayas but not in the Northeast.
- Inhabit variety of dense forests, open forests, rocky terrain and human habitations.
- Found near dense vegetation with loose soil, rocky areas & wetness.
- Hide in rock piles, crevices, under wooden logs & loose roots during day.
DIET AND BEHAVIOR
- Mainly eat small lizards, insects & particularly fond of reptile eggs.
- Instead of swallowing eggs, they slit eggs open & drink yolk from it with head inside.
- Nocturnal & semi-fossorial species, forage at night, sometimes even day terrestrially.
- Usually non-offensive. When provoked, form loose coils with body & lift forebody off ground.
- Inflate neck when aggressive & strike in a jerky, jumpy manner.
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Bites can be damaging and tear skin due sharp, curved rear teeth. Saliva contains anti-coagulant and causes prolonged bleeding.
Sources and Credits
- (c) Dr Caesar Sengupta, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Dr Caesar Sengupta
- (c) Vinay Gogula, all rights reserved, uploaded by Vinay Gogula
- (c) Vinay Gogula, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
More Info
iNat Map
| Toxicity | Non-Venomous |
|---|---|
| Found | Common |
