Red Coral Kukri Snake:
A rare Red Coral Kukri Snake species, last reported in 1936, was recently found trapped in a net in a village field near Pilibhit Tiger Reserve.
- Red Coral Kukri Snake is identified as Oligodon kheriensis.
- It is one of the rarest non venomous snake species.
- This nocturnal and fossorial snake is specialized with curved teeth like kukri (Nepalian Knife). Hence, they are called “Kukri”.
- Its whole body including the head is uniform bright coral-red without any patterns and the underside is yellowish or pinkish hence it is one of the most distinct snakes of its range.
- Its head is short, not broader than the neck and bears an obtusely pointed snout.
- It is widely distributed in lowlands (below 1500ft) of Himalayan foothills from Uttrakhand, Nepal, northern parts of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and West Bengal to Sikkim and western Assam.
- Conservation Status
- IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
- Wild Life Protection Act: Schedule –IV
