New species of 'kukri' snake discovered in Cambodia

The snake has been named the Cambodian Kukri, conservation group Fauna and Flora International said (AFP/FFI, Neang Thy)

New scarlet snake found in Cambodia 

PHNOM PENH (AFP)— A new species of snake which is scarlet with black and white rings has been discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced on Monday.

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement.

Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs -- designed to puncture eggs -- are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said.

"Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured," said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. "But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake."

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Press Trust of India / Kuala Lumpur 

July 16, 2012, 

Meet Cambodia's very own 'kukri' snake, a new species of the reptile named after Nepalese knife or 'Kukri' which has recently been discovered in the Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists said.

While most kukri snakes are dull-coloured, this one is dark red with black and white rings.

The reptile was discovered by Cambodian national Neang Thy, American scientist Dr Lee Grismer and Fauna & Flora International's Senior Conservation Biologist Dr Jenny Daltry.

"Cambodian science was smashed under the Pol Pot regime, and only now are we picking up the pieces. It gave me a great sense of pride to both discover and describe this species, and to name it in honour of my country," Neang Thy said while explaining why he named the species in this way.

The reptile has been named the Cambodian Kukri, or Oligodon kampucheaensis, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement.

Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear teeth are similar in shape to the Nepalese knife known as a kukri.

They are forest species, and in keeping with their known ecology, this one was found in the rainforests of the Cardamom Mountains in the south-west of the country.

The area is under threat from habitat loss and land conversion even though it is a part of Cambodia's protected areas system.

A new species of snake pictured in Cambodia's southwest Cardamom Mountains, in a picture taken on January 27, 2011 and released by conservation group Fauna and Flora International (FFI) on July 16, 2012. The new species of snake was discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced Monday.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

New scarlet snake found in Cambodia July 16, 2012 The snake has been named the Cambodian Kukri, conservation group Fauna and Flora International said Enlarge A new species of snake pictured in Cambodia's southwest Cardamom Mountains, in a picture taken on January 27, 2011 and released by conservation group Fauna and Flora International (FFI) on July 16, 2012. The new species of snake was discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced Monday. A new species of snake which is scarlet with black and white rings has been discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced on Monday.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

New scarlet snake found in Cambodia July 16, 2012 The snake has been named the Cambodian Kukri, conservation group Fauna and Flora International said Enlarge A new species of snake pictured in Cambodia's southwest Cardamom Mountains, in a picture taken on January 27, 2011 and released by conservation group Fauna and Flora International (FFI) on July 16, 2012. The new species of snake was discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced Monday. A new species of snake which is scarlet with black and white rings has been discovered in Cambodia's rainforest, conservationists announced on Monday.

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement. Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs -- designed to puncture eggs -- are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said. "Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured," said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. "But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake." (c) 2012 AFP

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement. Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs -- designed to puncture eggs -- are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said. "Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured," said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. "But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake." (c) 2012 AFP

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement. Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs -- designed to puncture eggs -- are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said. "Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured," said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. "But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake." (c) 2012 AFP

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp

The reptile, which has been named the Cambodian Kukri, was found in the southwest Cardamom Mountains, an area under threat from habitat loss, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) said in a statement. Kukri snakes are so named because their curved rear fangs -- designed to puncture eggs -- are similar in shape to the Nepalese kukri knife, FFI said. "Most kukri snakes are dull-coloured," said Neang Thy, one of the herpetologists who discovered the new species. "But this one is dark red with black and white rings, making it a beautiful snake." (c) 2012 AFP

Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2012-07-scarlet-snake-cambodia.html#jCp