Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake venomous?

No. The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.

Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.

Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake dangerous?

The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.

Where does the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake live?

The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Viet Nam, China, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake

Harmless

Oligodon cinereus

Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake — Oligodon cinereus, © Lawrence Hylton

5 photographs of the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake. © Lawrence Hylton.

The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 10 countries.

Family: Colubridae

About the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake

Oligodon cinereus, the ashy kukri snake or Günther's kukri snake, is a species of snake in the family Colubridae.

Description

See snake scales for terminology

Nasal divided; portion of rostral seen from above as long as its distance from tho frontal or a little shorter; suture between the internasals usually shorter than that between the prefrontals: frontal as long as its distance from the end of the snout, as long as the parietals; loreal usually longer than deep; preocular single, usually with a small subocular below, between the third and fourth labials; one or two postoculars; temporals 1+2; upper labials 8, fourth and fifth entering the eye, 3 or 4 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields; posterior chin-shields one half or loss than one half the size of the anterior. Scales in 17 rows. Ventrals 160-180 (196); anal undivided; subcaudals 34–39. Pale brown, purplish or reddish above; markings on the head very indistinct; uniform above and below. Total length 30 inches; tail 3.

Distribution

Oligodon cinereus occurs in northeast India (Assam; Arunachal Pradesh), Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, and southern China (including Hong Kong and Hainan).

Colour morphs

This species has variable colouration, and O. cattienensis, the "Cat Tien kukri snake" was placed at species level, but is now considered a colour morph of O. cinereus.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake

Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake venomous?: No. The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake (Oligodon cinereus) is non-venomous and is not considered dangerous to humans. Like most snakes, it will retreat rather than bite when given the chance.
Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake dangerous?: The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake live?: The Black Cross-barred Kukri Snake has verified records in 10 countries, including Viet Nam, China, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Where it is found

Viet Nam China Thailand Hong Kong Myanmar India Cambodia Lao People’s Democratic Republic Bangladesh Congo, Democratic Republic of the

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Oligodon
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Oligodon cinereus

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.