Snake FinderField Guide · Worldwide

Colubridae

Deuve's Kukri Snake

Harmless

Oligodon deuvei

Deuve's Kukri Snake
Oligodon deuvei, © Noah Kirkland
Deuve's Kukri SnakeDeuve's Kukri SnakeDeuve's Kukri SnakeDeuve's Kukri SnakeDeuve's Kukri Snake

6 photographs of the Deuve's Kukri Snake. © Noah Kirkland.

The Deuve's Kukri Snake (Oligodon deuvei) is a non-venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 4 countries.

Family
Colubridae

About the Deuve's Kukri Snake

Oligodon deuvei is a species of snake in the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Southeast Asia.

Etymology

The specific name, deuvei, is in honor of Jean Deuve (1918–2008) who was a French military officer and amateur naturalist.

Geographic range

O. deuvei is found in Cambodia, southern Vietnam, and Laos; it is expected to occur in northeastern Thailand.

Habitat

The preferred natural habitat of O. deuvei is forest, but it is also found in gardens.

Description

O. deuvei differs from other known species of its group (the O. taeniatus group) by the combination of 12–15 maxillary teeth, 17 dorsal scale rows at midbody, approximately seven supralabials, the absence of dorsal and tail blotches, and the presence of a single vertebral black stripe, which is usually orange or red. O. deuvei is most similar to O. barroni, but differs from the latter by having more maxillary teeth and its absence of dorsal and tail marks.

Behavior

O. deuvei is terrestrial, semiaquatic, crepuscular and diurnal.

Diet

O. deuvei preys predominately upon frogs and tadpoles.

Reproduction

The mode of reproduction of O. deuvei is unknown.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Deuve's Kukri Snake

Is the Deuve's Kukri Snake venomous?
No. The Deuve's Kukri Snake (Oligodon deuvei) 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 Deuve's Kukri Snake poisonous?
Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Deuve's Kukri Snake is neither poisonous nor venomous.
Is the Deuve's Kukri Snake dangerous?
The Deuve's Kukri Snake is not dangerous to humans. It has no medically significant venom and bites only defensively if cornered or handled.
Where does the Deuve's Kukri Snake live?
The Deuve's Kukri Snake has verified records in 4 countries, including Viet Nam, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Thailand. See the distribution section below for its full range.
What does the Deuve's Kukri Snake eat?
O. deuvei preys predominately upon frogs and tadpoles.
Why is it called the Deuve's Kukri Snake?
The specific name, deuvei, is in honor of Jean Deuve (1918–2008) who was a French military officer and amateur naturalist.

Where it is found

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 deuvei

Keep learning

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