Colubridae
Deuve's Kukri Snake
HarmlessOligodon deuvei






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
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
Brown Kukri SnakeOligodon purpurascens
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
- 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.