Red Coral Kukri Snake

Red Coral Kukri Snake Latest News

Recently, 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.

About Red Coral Kukri Snake

• It 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”.
• Appearance: 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.
• Distribution: 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.

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Conservation Status of Red Coral Kukri Snake

• IUCN: Least Concern (LC)
• Wild Life Protection Act: Schedule –IV

Key Facts about Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

• It is located in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
• It lies along the India-Nepal border in the foothills of the Himalayas and is part of the Terai Arc Landscape.
• Rivers: The river Gomti originates from the PTR, which is also the catchment of several others like Sharda, Chuka, and Mala Khannot.
• Habitat: The habitat is characterized by dense sal forests and tall alluvial grasslands, savannahs, and impenetrable swamps, maintained by periodic flooding from rivers. 
• The Sharda Sagar Dam, extending up to a length of 22 km, is on the boundary of the reserve.
• It has a dry and hot climate, which brings a combination of dry teak forest and Vindhya Mountain soils.

Source: PTI