The Taiwan kukri snake

Writer: Isaac Cohen | Editor: Liu Minxia | From: Shenzhen Daily

A Taiwan kukri snake is seen wandering in Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District.

The Taiwan kukri snake (Oligodon formosanus) is a relatively small nocturnal reptile that can reach up to 60 centimeters in length. It has a distinctive mustard coloration decorated with blackish spots all over the body. Another unique physical trait of most kukri snakes is a beautiful set of irregular stripes over the head and face of the animal with a distinctive brown patch below each eye.

台湾小头蛇是一种昼伏夜出的爬行动物，体型较小，最长个体身长仅达60厘米。它们体色棕黄，全身遍布黑色斑点，脸部具显著的不规则纹路，眼下具对称的棕色块斑。

The head of the snake is relatively small when compared with the rest of the body, and the body tends to be broader with a short tail. The underbelly is pale pink, extending through its entire body. The eyes show a big rounded pupil surrounded by a beautiful yellowish iris.

顾名思义比起身体，台湾小头蛇的头部相对较小，尾部亦短小，因此显得躯干宽阔。腹面整体呈粉白色，眼部大而圆，虹膜呈明黄色。

A Taiwan kukri snake is seen wandering in Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District.

The Taiwan kukri snake doesn’t possess venom glands, but that doesn’t necessarily make them harmless friendly snakes. They will become aggressive when bothered or handled, by striking and attempting to cut slashes with their teeth. In the shape of a particular type of knife called the kukri, the teeth have given the snake their name.

台湾小头蛇虽无毒性，性情却凶猛，常以迅雷不及掩耳之势发动攻击，用反曲刀般锋利的牙齿噬咬惊扰或试图攫获它们的来犯之敌，严重时还会留下割伤般的伤痕。惧于小头蛇这口锋利的牙齿，人们便直接把“反曲刀”一词放进了它们的英文俗名。

A Taiwan kukri snake is seen wandering in Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District.

Their specialized rear slashing teeth are perfect for egg cutting; therefore, one of their primary food sources is other reptiles´ eggs. They also prey on other animals they can get their teeth to along the way. Kukri snakes are strictly terrestrial and will wander across forested areas in search of prey.

台湾小头蛇的牙齿对付起坚硬的蛋壳来也不在话下，因此它们也是有名的“偷蛋贼”，喜欢吃其他爬行动物的卵，也喜欢吃它们能够制服的一切动物。它们的领地意识极强，常在林下区域活动，四处徘徊寻找猎物。

A Taiwan kukri snake is seen wandering in Bijia Mountain Park in Futian District.

Kukris are common in some areas of our city but relatively uncommon in most of the parks. It is essential to help preserve their natural habitats so we can enjoy a healthy population of these amazing animals, as they make up an indispensable part of our city´s natural food networks.

台湾小头蛇仅在深圳部分区域可见，普通的公园里则难寻其踪，因此我们要保护好它们有限的栖息地，帮助它们壮大种群数量，让它们继续在本地的食物链中扮演好不可获缺的角色。