Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hey guys
I got an interesting facebook message from a non-herp friend today. Her sister is in Indonesia and was just bitten by a small snake, and nobody seems able to ID it.

It appears at first glance to be an Indonesian Garter, and then Billy Brown suggested a Kukri Snake (Oligodon octolineatus) which seems to match the head markings very well.

I have heard the term "Indonesian Garter" has been used for many snakes, some of which are harmless and some of which possess a mild rear-fanged venomous bite. Here is the report of the bite from my friend's sister, who sent me the photo:

"it is from indonesia and bethany got bit by it and no one over there knows what kind it is. she went to the hospital and and they wanted to cut her finger open but she said no and another doctor said stay there for three hours and if she doesn't get an infection she should be good. She only has a swelling and bruising...thanks again"

Any thoughts on ID and possible effects of a "mild envenomation"? I will work on gathering more info from their end, but any thoughts on this snake would be great in the mean time!

Thanks,
Jesse
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Jesse Rothacker
Forgotten Friend Reptile Sanctuary
www.forgottenfriend.org

looks like a hatchling mud snake to me and it is Venomous ! the name mud snake is a local name for it I do not know the real name , thay loos there stipes as adults and can change there color like a Chameleon . David

here is a pic of a adult mud snakes head

I don't know much about SE Asian snakes, but I'll toss in my thought that it looks a lot like a harmless striped kukri snake, Oligodon octolineatus - here's a link with some photos of them:

http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2007/07/striped-kukri-snake-oligodon.html

Billy

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Phillyherping

This is Oligodon octolineatus.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

Now that I have seen the link posted above I would agree , up till then all the Kukri snakes I had ever seen were banded and not stripped , see you learn something new every day .lol. David