Streaked Kukuri Snake

Fascinating facts about the Streaked Kukuri Snake

• When Thomas C. Jerdon first described this snake in 1853, he placed it in a completely different genus, calling it Coronella taeniolata, before later taxonomists moved it to Oligodon. The shift shows how early scientists often had to revise classifications as more specimens were studied. It reminds us that scientific names are not set in stone, but evolve with our understanding.
• The streaked kukri comprises two recognized subspecies: Oligodon taeniolatus taeniolatus, described by Jerdon in 1853, and Oligodon taeniolatus fasciatus, added by Günther in 1864.
• Its range stretches across a surprising slice of South and Central Asia, from India and Pakistan all the way to southern Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The subspecies fasciatus is specifically noted from Bangladesh. Seeing a non-venomous snake occupy such varied habitats underscores how adaptable some colubrids can be.
• The IUCN currently lists the streaked kukri as Least Concern.

At a glance

About the Streaked Kukuri Snake

The streaked kukri snake, Oligodon taeniolatus, is a non-venomous colubrid found in India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, southern Turkmenistan, eastern Iran, Afghanistan and Bangladesh (where the subspecies fasciatus occurs).

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