Kukri Snake (G. Oligodon)
Image Copyright Hans-Henrik Hansen
Last Observed: December 2015
Observed By: Hans Henrik Hansen
Kukri Snakes or Oligodon are a genus of snakes that comprise 75 species. And this is one of them. They live mainly by stealing the eggs of birds and reptiles and typically are less than 1.5 metres in length.
They are not venomous or considered dangerous to hymans. They have large teeth at the back of their throats that are specially adapted to slicing open aggs as they are being swallowed and thereby speeding up digestion.
Oligodon Wikipedia
Cardamom Forest Gecko (Cyrtodactylus intermedius)
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Last Observed: December 2015, Koh Chang
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
The Cardamom Forest Gecko, or intermediate bow-fingered gecko, is a species of Gecko found only in parts of Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It is a forest-dwelling Gecko that is quite at home in Koh Chang’s lush rainforest.
Cardamon forest Gecko Leaf Turtle Wikipedia
Western Black-Bridged Leaf Turtle (Cyclemis atripons)
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Last Observed: December 2015, Koh Chang
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
The name of this tiny freshwater turtle is probably longer than the animal itself. The species is native to Cambodia, Southeast Thailand and Vietnam.
It is apparently nearly indistinguishable from the Eastern Black-Bridged Leaf Turtle.
Western Black-Bridged Leaf Turtle Wikipedia
Checkered Keelback (Xenochrophis piscator)
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Last Observed: December 2015, Koh Chang
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
This checkered keelback is giving an excellent demonstration of how snakes can dislocate their jaws to swallow very large meals – a handy skill.
This species is a large nonvenomous snake that is also known as the Asiatic Water Snake.
Checkered Keelback Wikipedia
Acanthosaura Cardomomensis
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Last Observed: December 2015, Koh Chang
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
This fierce looking lizard sports a black mask-like marking around its eyes as well as a crest of yellow spines down its neck and back and intricately patterned scale markings.
It is apparently a very local species to Koh Chang being found only in Eastern Thailand and the Cardamom Mountains of Western Cambodia (hence the name Cardomomensis). It is also a relatively newly discovered species and we’re certainly lucky to have it as a fellow Koh Chang resident.
Acanthosaura Cardomomensis Wikipedia
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Oriental Whip Snake (Aheatulla prasina)
Last Observed: December 2015
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
The Oriental Whip Snake is presumably named for the tightly coiled posture it adopts. Its colour can vary from light brown to dark green.
Wikipedia tells us that they can reach 1.8 metres in length with a tail of 60cm. Hang on – snakes have tails? Where does the tail end and the snake begin? (Pause)
OK I know all about snake tails now. Read here for an excellent explanation. Basically it’s the bit after the snakes ribs stop. Fascinating.
This snake feeds on small reptiles and amphibians.
But you want to know if it’s poisonous or not don’t you? The answer is yes – but only mildly – and they aren’t considered to be a threat to people, in fact they are apparently popular pets.
Oriental Whip Snake Wikipedia
Pilot Whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus)
Image Copyright Stanley van Broekhuizen
Observed: Koh Chang, December 2015
Observed By: Stanley van Broekhuizen
It would be nice to pretend that Koh Chang is a happy natural environment that isn’t affected by the actions of man. But that isn’t true and one of the purposes of this website is to draw attention to the local species that are most threatend.
Sadly dead pilot whales, like the one pictured, and also dolphins wash up on the shores of Koh Chang on a regular basis.
The principal cause of death is drowning when they are caught up in fishing nets and unable to surface to breathe. there are supposed to be strict fishing restrictions within the waters of the Koh Chang Marine National Park. And outside these waters Thailand faces significant challenges to tackle illegal and unsustainable fishing. And sadly these large members of the dolphin family are the victims of these fishing practises.
Pilot Whale Wikipedia
Other Koh Chang Mammals
Thanks everyone – the animals just keep on coming. There’s 165 individual animal pages on the site now and maybe another 50-70 waiting for me to get around to putting on. It’ll happen but please bear with me if your beast hasn’t appeared yet – it will! Doing this whole exercise just reinforces what a […]
Right, we’re making good progress! Most of our animal backlog has now been cleared and we now have 82 different Koh Chang animal species on the site. Also, importantly, we’ve added a page with lots of animal identification sites and resources. We particularly need some undersea assistance so all you divers please get snapping and […]
Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus)
Image Copyright Jonathan Milnes
Observed: Koh Chang, December 2015
Observed By: Jonathan Milnes
Whilst there are no truly wild elephants on Koh Chang the numerous elephant trekking operations mean that they are a common sight on the island. They live in a jungle environment and feed on jungle plants so they are part of the island’s wildlife ecosystem whether wild or domesticated.
The Asian Elephant is an endangered species in the wild so the domesticated animals involved in Elephant Trekking are at least helping to ensure the cvontinued survival of the species.
Asian Elephant Wikipedia
More Koh Chang Mammals
Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
Image Copyright สุธนัย ครุพานิช
Observed: Koh Chang, December 2015
Observed By: สุธนัย ครุพานิช
The Wild Boar is one of Koh Chang’s largest land mammals. The wild boar is extremely widespread around the world and is not classed as endangered on a global scale. They are the ancestors of domestic pigs and like their domestic relatives they are omnivores that will eat almost anything.
They are shy creatures but males especially can be aggressive if disturbed. These boar were photographed using a concealed camera trap.
Wild Boar Wikipedia
Rasbora Sumatrana
Image Copyright Parinya Pawangkhanant
Observed: Koh Chang, December 2015
Observed By: Parinya Pawangkhanant
This freshwater fish is found in the rivers and streams of Koh Chang. It is a member of the Ray-Finned Fishes (Actinopterygii) and frows to a maximum length of 13cm.
Rasbura Sumatrana Fishbase
