Yellow-Spotted Keelback (Xenochrophis flavipunctatus)

I was sitting in my garden in Khon Kaen, 2014, when a fairly large brown snake upwards of a metre in length slithered its way across the road. I dashed for my camera and when I returned he had made it into next door's garden. I managed to get this shot only but I think it is a Yellow-Spotted Keelback or Xenochrophis flavipunctatus. Please advise if I am wrong.

 

King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)

Like the Monocled Cobra, I saw this King Cobra or Ophiophagus hannah at the same snake show in Chiang Mai, back in 2013. I didn't really want to get too close. I have encountered this species in

 Khon Kaen and even had one swim past me during a flood. One day, I will photograph wild specimens, though this will do for now!
 

 

Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia)

OK, I am cheating ... this was not in the wild. It is the Monocled Cobra, Naja kaouthia which was at a snake show in Mae Sa, Chiang Mai. I have actually spotted both King and Monocled in the wild, but I haven't had the chance (or the nerve) to get near them. Maybe one day ...

 

 

Golden Tree Snake (Chrysopelea ornata)

A small but beautiful snake I see from time to time, is the Golden Tree Snake or Chrysopelea ornata. It is ultra slim and often quite long. They will sometimes even venture into your home (one stayed in my bathroom for about three days). However, please don't harm them. They are virtually harmless to you and I. Simply shoo them away.

 

This was supposed to be Beau's bird's cage ... not a snake's cage ... he really couldn't fit and I couldn't photograph all of him.

Short-Nosed Vine Snake (Ahaetulla prasina)

Back in july, 2014 I was working my way along an overgrown and difficult stretch of a stream near Nam Nao, Petchabun. Suddenly, I saw a slender yellow branch begin to move. I knew what it was instantly. I had seen photos before, but never one in real life. It was an Oriental Vine Snake. Amazing little creatures. Doing a little reseach on the Internet, it seems to be a Short-Nosed Vine Snake Ahaetulla prasina. I could be wrong, though. Unfortunately, as it was so long and slim and I was only set up with my 100mm macro lens, I couldn't get in the whole body. Still it's my first ever encounter and I hope to see many more, especially some of the green ones.

 

 

 

 

Copperhead Rat Snake (Coelognathus radiatus)

Back in 2012, I was returning from Nam Nao National Park and I saw this massive snake (at least 2 metres long) writhing around at the edge of the road. I thought it had captured a mouse or similar. As I approached, I realised it had been hit by a motorbike and was dying. Sad to see it die, as it was such an impressive beast. The species is known as the Copperhead Rat Snake or Coelognathus radiatus. A beautiful species, indeed.

Pope's Pit Viper (Trimeresurus popeiorum)

This is another pit viper I managed to photograph back in 2010 at Doi Inthanon, Chiang Mai. It has been ID'd as a female Pope's Pit Viper or Trimeresurus popeiorum. The most distinctive thing about this specimen is its red eyes, as most seem to have yellow eyes. I didn't fancy getting any closer to the front of this one. It didn't seem as though she wanted me there.

 

Species ID through a snake specialist, who Joe Hartman knows. Many thanks to you both (though I don't know the specialist's name, unfortunately). 

Cardamon Mountains Green Pit Viper (Trimeresurus cardamonensis)

This slender Pit Viper I saw at a dry streambed at Koh Chang, Trat province, in April 2011 was, in fact, only described that same year. It's Cardamon Mountains Green Pit Viper or Trimeresurus cardamonensis, which is fairly new to science. This is a female. It is a small species and has been confirmed by a snake specialist contacted through Joe Hartman. Many thanks to you both.

 

Here's how I first found him. Unfortunately, as I approcahed to get close-up shots, he awoke from his slumber and decided to make a bid for freedom, but struggled to get over an enormous boulder.

Here he is now at full stretch, trying to escape the wrath of my camera lens.