Here is a collection of venomous snake photos. These snakes can be found in Thailand.

Cobra Snake Photos

King Cobras (Ophiophagus hannah)

This is the biggest venomous snake on the planet, and they get to nearly 7 meters long. Their length isn’t the scary part, it’s the amount of venom they can inject with one bite – which can kill an elephant. The brother of a friend I have was killed by a bite to the chest while doing a snake show with a king cobra. He died in less than 10 minutes. Kings are rather slow to bite, but if you are within striking distance, they might feel threatened enough to strike.

Ophiophagus hannah, the King Cobra is majestic and so deadly…

Monocled Cobras (Naja kaouthia)

These are usually quite dark, black and dark grey snakes that are very fast strikers and movers. The monocled cobra’s venom is much more lethal than the king cobra’s venom, so only a very small amount is needed to cause death in humans. I met a woman who lost a husband recently, due to a bite on the man’s toe when it came out from under an outdoor refrigerator as he opened it to get a beer. The venom is both cytotoxic and neurotoxic. First he lost his foot to necrosis. Then up to his knee. Then his entire leg, and the doctor assured him and his family – you’ll be fine now. He died days later. Monocled cobras are quicker to bite than king cobras and are exceptionally dangerous. Do not mess with this snake.

Naja kaouthia just might be my favorite snake… Monocled Cobra.

Krait Snake Photos

Banded Kraits (Bungarus fasciatus)

These are night-active snakes, which, during the day – are quite docile. Some are foolish enough to hand hold them during the daylight hours. Show this snake more respect, it’s venom is quite lethal and kills people each year in Thailand and many in southeast Asia. Stripes can be yellow and black, white and black, or even turn longitudinal instead of banding (see last images of the yellow / black banded krait).

Banded kraits can be yellow and black or white and black.

Malayan Kraits (Blue Krait) (Bungarus candidus)

Stronger venom than the banded krait, but not as lethal as it’s sister – the Multi-banded Krait, that looks very similar.

Malayan Kraits come in black and white and have thick bands of alternating white and black.

Red-headed Kraits (Bungarus flaviceps)

The red headed krait, is seen as often during the day as night. These ultra-lethal venomous snakes are quite rare to find at all. I have seen just 2 in 5 years of looking for snakes in Thailand. Most people never see one in the wild. Their venom and behavior has not been well-studied but their venom is very toxic, like the other kraits.

Multi-banded Kraits (Bungarus multicinctus)

A small, less than 10-inch snake called the Bungarus multicinctus killed famous American herpetologist, Joe Slowinski while he was on an expedition in Burma and far from a hospital with respirators. He died within 30 hours from the bite. These snakes have venom which is in the top 5 of the most lethal territorial snakes in the world. These snakes look very similar to the Malayan krait.

Viper Snake Photos

Malayan Pit Vipers

These snakes have the distinction of killing the most people across Thailand of any other snake. Malayan pit vipers have large heads, very large fangs, and a strong bite that can inflict deep wounds filled with venom. These snakes love the grass and light cover. They tend not to move at all when approached, and don’t give any noise before striking. Usually people die when they don’t get hospital treatment quickly. The venom is primarily hemotoxic and the victim bleeds from orifices on the body – as well as from the brain.

Malayan Pit Viper

Chain Vipers (Russell’s Viper)

Found north, west and east of Bangkok – this snake is not to be found in southern Thailand. These snakes kill more people across the globe than any other. Like the Malayan pit viper these vipers are very strong, thick, and have large fangs.

Beautiful Viper

And she is a beautiful snake too! In the header of this website is a photo of what I think is the first venomous snake I saw in Thailand – the Trimeresurus venustus, the Beautiful Viper. These are small vipers with very small scales – especially on the head. They are not so deadly, but you will have strong local reaction to the venom.

Beautiful Pit Viper – Trimeresurus venustus. Stunning in person, this photo is a bit lame.

Wagler’s Pit Viper

Wagler's Pit Viper - beautiful! Used with permission given by Emilios Kattides.

Hagen’s Bamboo Pit Viper

Pope’s Bamboo Pit Viper

Wirot’s Palm Viper

Indo-Malayan Mountain Pit Viper

A father sent me photos of a snake that his young son was kicking at while they visited a waterfall on the Thai-Burma border in Phang Nga province. These are rare in Thailand, and have a nasty bite. Luckily, his son was not harmed.

Indo Malayan Mountain Pit Viper. Used with permission from Stewart King.

Mangrove Pit Viper

These are pretty elusive. They spend time in mangrove areas near the ocean, and I’ve yet to see one in the wild. They are big biters and not docile at all. Be careful if you come across one of these small vipers. They are beautiful – but dangerous.

Mangrove Pit Viper - used with permission from Richard Richert .

Kanburi Pit Viper

Very rare and found only in and next to the Kanburi province of Thailand. Very similar in appearance to the beautiful viper.

Large-eyed Green Pit Viper

As the name implies, the eyes are large on this green pit viper. Green pit vipers in Thailand are quite difficult to tell apart from each other. Be careful with all of them.

White-lipped Pit Viper

Very dangerous and hard to identify. A very beautiful pit viper as the pictures show.

Coral Snakes Pictures

Blue Coral Snake

Small Spotted Coral Snake

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