Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)

Taxonomy & Classification

• Kingdom: Animalia

• Phylum: Chordata

• Class: Reptilia

• Order: Squamata

• Family: Elapidae

• Genus: Bungarus

• Species: Bungarus caeruleus

General Description

The Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) is one of the most venomous snakes found in South Asia. It belongs to the Elapidae family, which also includes cobras. This species is notorious for its neurotoxic venom, making it a significant member of the "Big Four" venomous snakes responsible for the majority of snakebite fatalities in India.

Physical Characteristics

• Size: Typically 90 cm to 150 cm in length, though some individuals may grow longer.

• Color: Glossy bluish-black or brownish-black with thin white bands across the body; the ventral side is pale or yellowish-white.

• Scales: Smooth, shiny, and hexagonal in shape.

• Head: Slightly flattened and indistinct from the neck.

• Eyes: Small, with round pupils, adapted for nocturnal vision.

Habitat & Distribution

• Found across India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia.

• Prefers grasslands, agricultural fields, forests, and human settlements.

• Often found near water bodies, under rocks, logs, burrows, and inside homes or storage areas.

Behavior & Ecology

• Nocturnal: Highly active at night, often hiding during the day.

• Secretive & Non-aggressive: Unlike cobras, kraits do not readily display aggression but may bite if provoked.

• Feeds on: Primarily other snakes (including venomous ones), lizards, rodents, frogs, and small mammals.

• Oviparous: Lays 8–12 eggs, usually during summer. Hatchlings emerge after an incubation period of about 60 days.

Venom & Medical Significance

• Highly potent neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system.

• Symptoms of envenomation:

  • Early: Mild pain or no pain at the bite site, drowsiness, nausea.

  • Progressive: Muscle paralysis, blurred vision, difficulty in speaking or swallowing.

  • Severe: Respiratory failure leading to death if untreated.

• Bite characteristics: Painless, often unnoticed during sleep (hence called "Silent Killer").

• Medical Treatment: Requires anti-snake venom (ASV) and respiratory support in severe cases.

Conservation Status

• Listed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, but habitat destruction and human conflict pose threats.

Prevention & Safety Tips

• Avoid sleeping on the floor in snake-prone areas.

• Use a torchlight when walking at night in rural regions.

• Keep surroundings clean and free of rodent infestation to avoid attracting kraits.

• If bitten, seek immediate medical attention and avoid traditional remedies.