Thai National Parks

Oligodon huahin is a new species of kukri snake in the genus Oligodon (Fitzinger, 1826) which was first dicovered and described in late 2016, and published in 2017. O. huahin is the first species of snake endemic to Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. It is only known from its type locality but its range is likely to be more extensive. O. huahin is thought to be very secretive, similar to other species of the Oligodon genus.

Phylogeny

Oligodon huahin is a member of the genus Oligodon, a genus common throughout central and tropical Asia. It belongs to the snake family Colubridae, the largest snake family, with member species to be found on every continent, except Antarctica.

Etymology

The specific epithet is an invariable noun in honor of the administrative district where the type locality lies and of its charming main city Hua Hin. The following common names are given "Hua Hin Kukri Snake" (English), "Ngu Ngod Hua Hin" «งูคุดหัวหิน», "Ngu Peekeaw Hua Hin" «งูปี่แก้วหัวหิน» "Ngu Peekeaw Lai Hua Hin" «งูปี่แก้วลายหัวหิน» (Thai), "Oligodon de Hua Hin" (French), "Hua Hin Kukrinatter" (German) and Hin Kukri Slange" (Norwegian)

Habitat, behaviour and ecology

The habitat, behaviour and ecology of this species is poorly known, even though all specimens used for the species description were found in mixed bamboo forest area, the species is likely to inhabit several other types of habitats and elevations as well. Based on data for other members of the genus Oligodon, O. huahin is thought to be a oviparous (egg-laying) species. This species is nocturnal.

Description

It is characterized by a maximal known SVL of 485.8 mm; 6 maxillary teeth, the posterior two enlarged; 17-17-15 or 17-15-15 dorsal scale rows; 166–173 ventrals and 35–41 subcaudals in males; a single anal; deeply forked hemipenes lacking spines and papillae, extending in situ to the 14th subcaudal ; faint to nearly indistinct vertebral, paravertebral and lateral stripes; no dorsal or supracaudal blotches or crossbars; and an uniformly ivory venter lacking subrectangular or squarish blotches.

Distribution

Oligodon huahin is only known from seven specimens found at the type locality , within a range of approximately 1000m², and therefore its distribution is poorly understood, although a "DOR" (dead on road) specimen was later found at a different location and habitat about 12km away. The holotype and the paratypes was collected from Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan Province, Thailand. This species is for now thought to be endemic to Hua Hin District, .

Conservation

The conservation threats to O. huahin are not known, because the species is only known from a few specimen found at the same spot. The area from which these were collected is not under any sort of protection, and is therefore threatened by deforestation. Even though it's «Data Deficient» for now, it is likely to be at «Least Concern» based on observations.

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Site notes

On 20th April 2018, a DOR specimen of this was found in Kaeng Krachan District of Phetchaburi too. ID confirmed by the authors of this species.