Snakes in Thailand: Species and Identification

Thailand is home to over 70 species of snakes, ranging from venomous cobras and vipers to harmless garter snakes and rat snakes. The country's diverse geography and climate support a wide variety of snake habitats.

One of the most recognizable snakes in Thailand is the Indian cobra, also known as the spectacled cobra. Its distinctive hood and piercing gaze make it a snake to remember.

The Thai cobra is a close relative of the Indian cobra, and can be found in a variety of habitats, from forests to grasslands. Its venom is highly toxic, and can be deadly to humans if not treated promptly.

The Malayan pit viper is another venomous snake found in Thailand, recognized by its distinctive pit between its eyes and nostrils. This snake is generally solitary and nocturnal, making it harder to spot in the wild.

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Snakes in Thailand are incredibly diverse, with some species being found nowhere else in the world.

The Keel-bellied mud snake, also known as Bitia hydroides, is one example of the many species found in Thailand.

Please note that some of the species listed may be extinct or no longer found in Thailand, so it's essential to verify the information.

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Snakes that spend their time near the ground or on large trees tend to be drabber in color.

Snakes in this category are often brown or black without significant markings.

Brown or black snakes can be found in various environments, but they tend to blend in with their surroundings.

These snakes have evolved to be less conspicuous, making them well-suited for life on or near the ground.

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The Indo-Chinese Rat Snake is a common species that can be easily mistaken for the monocled cobra. The adult Indo-Chinese Rat Snake has a similar appearance to the monocled cobra, especially to the untrained eye.

Be very cautious of any snake that is solid brown, grey, black, or mostly dark with some white spots – speckles or odd patterns, as they can be deadly.

The Golden Tree Snake is a very common sight in Thailand, and you might even spot one at your home.

These snakes are expert climbers, quickly finding a tree when threatened, and are also skilled at traversing the ground.

Their favorite food is the Tokay Gecko, so if you have one of these geckos as a pet, keep an eye out for a Golden Tree Snake trying to make a meal out of it.

These snakes have a mild venom that doesn't affect humans, so you don't have to worry about getting bitten.

Keelback Snakes are very common in Thailand, often found in both water and on the ground. They're easily identified by distinct black lines from the eye area toward the jaw.

These snakes are incredibly adept and fast climbers, often seen scaling walls and other vertical surfaces. I've even seen one come over a six-foot concrete wall in my backyard in Surat Thani.

Keelbacks are generally not afraid of humans and can be quite thin, making them quick to bite. As you might expect from the photo, their bites are fast and swift.

While most Keelbacks are not dangerous to humans, there are a few species in the Rhabdophis genus that are to be considered potentially deadly. One such species, the Red-necked Keelback (Rhabdophis subminiatus), has a poison secreted in the dorsal side of its neck area near the head.

This poison can be hazardous to pets or people who come into contact with it, so it's essential to exercise caution around these snakes. The Red-necked Keelback can even spray this poison in a fine mist, making it a potential threat to those nearby.

Some species of Keelbacks are mildly venomous colubrids, but they're not typically a cause for concern. With many species looking vaguely similar, it's crucial to exercise caution when encountering these snakes in the wild.

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Kraits are all venomous and potentially deadly snakes. They are active by night for the most part, though some species like the Red-Headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) can be active during daylight.

The Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) is a type of krait with black and white bands, the black bands being thicker near the neck and more evenly spaced farther down on the tail.

Banded Kraits (Bungarus fasciatus) are yellow and black snakes that are active at night and usually docile during the day. However, their venom is quite lethal and can kill people each year in Thailand and other countries in Southeast Asia.

Kraits, including the Banded Krait, can have bands that are yellow and black, white and black, or even with longitudinal (yellow and black striped) patterns due to genetic anomalies.

The Banded Krait and the Malayan or "Blue" krait are both deadly snakes, with the former having yellow and black bands about the same thickness, and the latter with black and white bands.

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The Brown-Spotted Pit Viper, also known as Trimeresurus venustus, is a small and relatively non-deadly species of snake found in Thailand.

This snake is quite beautiful, as you can see from the photo in our website's header. Its small scales, especially on the head, make it a stunning sight to behold.

The Brown-Spotted Pit Viper is not as deadly as some other species, but its venom can still cause a strong local reaction.

In fact, this snake is often found in the same areas as the Siamese Viper, another highly venomous species found in Thailand.

The Brown-Spotted Pit Viper is very similar in appearance to the Kanburi Pit Viper, a rare and endemic species found only in the Kanburi province of Thailand.

Here's a quick comparison of these two species:

Both of these species are quite fascinating, and it's worth noting that they are both found in different parts of Thailand.

Wirot's Palm Viper is a rare species in Thailand, and it's not hard to see why - their habitats are often limited to specific areas like the Thai-Burma border in Phang Nga province.

They have a nasty bite, which is a good reason to exercise caution if you encounter one.

Wirot's Palm Viper's appearance is quite unique, but unfortunately, I don't have a photo to share with you.

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Keelbacks are very common ground snakes that love water and can be easily identified by distinct black lines from the eye area toward the jaw.

They're incredibly adept and fast climbers, and I've even seen them scale a six-foot concrete wall in the back of the house. These snakes are not that afraid of humans and can bite quickly.

Most keelbacks in Thailand are not very dangerous, but there are a couple in the "Rhabdophis" genus that are to be considered dangerous and potentially capable of a deadly bite.

Golden Tree Snakes are very common green tree snakes across Thailand, and their favorite food appears to be Tokay Geckos.

These snakes have a mild venom that doesn’t generally affect humans at all, and they're masterful and very fast climbers, often traversing across the ground before quickly finding a tree when threatened.

They're common in homes, garages, and other structures, and are known to be mildly venomous colubrids, not dangerous to humans.

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Snakes in Thailand are incredibly diverse, with over 200 species found in the country. From the venomous to the harmless, identifying the right species is crucial for a safe and enjoyable experience.

The King Cobra is one of the most recognizable snakes in Thailand, known for its impressive size and distinctive hood. It's found in a variety of habitats, from forests to grasslands.

The Cobra's venom is highly toxic, capable of killing a human in under an hour if left untreated. This is why it's essential to exercise extreme caution around these snakes.

The Saw-scaled Viper is another venomous snake found in Thailand, recognized by its distinctive saw-like scales and aggressive behavior. It's a common inhabitant of rocky outcrops and scrublands.

The Venom of the Saw-scaled Viper is highly toxic, causing severe pain, swelling, and blistering. If you're unfortunate enough to be bitten, seek medical attention immediately.

The Burmese Python is a non-venomous snake found in Thailand's wetlands and forests, known for its massive size and powerful constricting abilities. They're a popular sight among tourists, but be careful not to get too close.

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The Indian Python is another non-venomous snake found in Thailand, recognized by its dark brown or black color and distinctive pattern. They're often found in rocky outcrops and scrublands.

The Venomous Coral Snake is not found in Thailand, it's actually found in Southeast Asia and is a member of the Elapidae family.

Southeast Asia is home to some of the most deadly snakes in the world, including the King Cobra, Malayan Pit Viper, Monocled Cobra, Banded Krait, and Malayan Krait.

There are over 34 stories of venomous snakebites and near misses from these snakes, which can be found in a digital book with over 100 pages.

Renal failure after bites is one of the possible potentially deadly outcomes of snakebites in Thailand.

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Snakes in Thailand have some amazing species, and one of the most iconic is the Cobra.

The Indian Cobra is one of the most venomous snakes in Thailand, with its distinctive hood and potent neurotoxin venom.

The Cobra's venom is powerful enough to kill a human being in under an hour if left untreated.

The Thai Cobra is also known for its agility and can climb trees with ease.

In Thai culture, the Cobra is considered a sacred animal and is often depicted in art and literature.

The King Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world, found in Thailand's forests and grasslands.

The Brahminy Blind Snake is one of the smallest snakes in Thailand, growing up to 10 centimeters in length.

The Rat Snake is a common species found in Thailand's cities and countryside, known for its ability to climb walls and roofs.

The Krait is a nocturnal snake that is active at night, making it difficult to spot in the wild.

Keelback snakes are a common sight in Thailand, often found in water or on the ground. They're easily identified by the distinct black lines from the eye area toward the jaw.

Some Keelbacks, particularly those in the Rhabdophis genus, can be considered dangerous and potentially deadly. I've seen one of these snakes climb a six-foot concrete wall in my backyard, not showing much fear of humans.

These snakes are mildly venomous colubrids, but not typically a threat to humans. There are many species of Keelbacks, all looking vaguely similar.

In Thailand, there are a few snakes that can be deadly, including the Wirot's Palm Viper, which has a nasty bite. Luckily, I've heard of cases where children have been kicked at by these snakes without being harmed.

Renal failure is one of the possible outcomes of a venomous snakebite in Thailand. It's essential to exercise caution when encountering snakes in the country.

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The Banded Krait is a venomous snake found in Southeast Asia, and its venom is quite lethal.

It's active at night, but during the day, it's usually quite docile. You might even see some people foolish enough to handhold them during daylight hours, but it's best to show this snake more respect.

The Banded Krait's bands can be yellow and black, white and black, or even with longitudinal stripes due to a genetic anomaly.

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The Siamese Viper is a snake you don't want to mess with. Found north, west, and east of Bangkok, it's not found in southern Thailand.

These snakes are incredibly strong, thick, and have large fangs. They're responsible for more human deaths worldwide than any other snake.

Be careful if you're traveling to areas where the Siamese Viper is present, as they can be deadly.

The Kanburi Pit Viper is a very rare snake found only in and next to the Kanburi province of Thailand. It's very similar in appearance to the Beautiful Pit Viper.

These snakes are quite elusive, making them a challenge to spot in the wild. They're not as common as some other venomous snakes in Thailand.

The Kanburi Pit Viper is a member of the Trimeresurus genus, which includes several other species of pit vipers found in Thailand.