Colubridae
Brown Kukri Snake
HarmlessOligodon purpurascens






6 photographs of the Brown Kukri Snake. © Jay Paroline.
The Brown Kukri Snake (Oligodon purpurascens) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 11 countries.
- Family
- Colubridae
About the Brown Kukri Snake
The brown kukri snake (Oligodon purpurascens) is a species of snake of the family Colubridae.
Geographic range
The snake is found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, and Thailand.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Brown Kukri Snake
- Is the Brown Kukri Snake venomous?
- No. The Brown Kukri Snake (Oligodon purpurascens) 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 Brown Kukri Snake poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Brown Kukri Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
- Is the Brown Kukri Snake dangerous?
- The Brown Kukri Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
- Where does the Brown Kukri Snake live?
- The Brown Kukri Snake has verified records in 11 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
Where it is found
More Colubridae snakes
Taiwan Kukri SnakeOligodon formosanus
Small-banded Kukri SnakeOligodon fasciolatus
Streaked Kukri SnakeOligodon taeniolatus
Banded kukri snakeOligodon arnensis
Eight-striped Kukri SnakeOligodon octolineatus
Striped Kukri SnakeOligodon taeniatus
Chinese Kukri SnakeOligodon chinensis
Black Cross-barred Kukri SnakeOligodon cinereus
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 purpurascens
Keep learning
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What Is a Snake? Anatomy and the BasicsA clear overview of what makes a snake a snake: limbless body plan, anatomy, evolution from lizards, species diversity, and why they are ectothermic.
- How to Keep Snakes Out of Your Yard and HomeA practical guide to keeping snakes out of your yard and home using habitat changes that work, plus what to skip and what to do if one shows up.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.