also: どくへび
venomous snake; poisonous snake
Refers to any snake that injects venom. In everyday Japanese, 毒蛇 is the general term, though 毒ヘビ is also seen.
Be careful because there are venomous snakes in this forest.
If you are bitten by a venomous snake, go to the hospital immediately.
Standard kanji spelling. The reading どくへび is the most common and widely understood.
Alternate reading, less common and somewhat literary or formal. Learners should prioritize どくへび.
Compound of 毒 (doku, 'poison') and 蛇 (hebi/ja, 'snake'). The reading どくへび is a straightforward kun'yomi compound, while どくじゃ uses the on'yomi for 蛇.