Bungarus caeruleus (Indian Krait )

Bungarus caeruleus

Distinguishing Features

i. They are deadly poisonous snakes.
ii. Their venom is myotoxic in nature.
iii. The body is cylindrical and tapering.
iv. The head is flat and barely distinct from the neck. 3 - 9 light vertebral spots are present on the neck.
v. The snout is blunt.
vi. The scales on the upper labial are 7 in number. The 3^rd and 4^th scales touch the eye. In young snakes, these scales are white and in adults they are yellow in colour.
vii. The scales on the lower labial are 8 in number.
viii. The dorsal ground surface is jet black to dark brown in colour with narrow white cross bars.
ix. The body is covered with smooth scales. Ventral scales are white in colour.
x. 38 - 56 narrow pairs of transverse bands are present on the fore body. In young snakes the bands are milky white in colour but get darker with age and become yellow.

Size

Its length varies from 870 - 1080 mm.

Habit and Habitat

These snakes inhabit grassland, semi desert, dry alluvial soil, marshy area and agricultural lands. They are nocturnal and shy in nature. At the time of danger or when get disturbed by any predator particularly human beings they coil their bodies and become round. When they are annoyed they become very aggressive and attack instantly. Movement is jerky and flinching

A number of human fatalities are caused by this snake. They are believed to spray their venom, which enters into the lungs and results in the death of victim. In fact, their fangs are very small and fine and venom can only enter into the prey’s body via a bite.

Food

They live on frogs, toad, lizards, rats and mice and other little non-poisonous snakes.

Distribution

They are found in Western Bengal through Indian Peninsula and Srilanka. In Pakistan this specie is distributed widely and found in all four Provinces.

Breeding

Economic Importance

This specie possesses economic as well as ecological importance. Their skin is used in the making of purses, belts and other decorative pieces. Venom is used in the preparation of antivenom vaccine. They also keep a check on the population of rodents.

Threats

Excessive hunting and killing is reducing its population at an alarming rate. Because of their shyness, sensitive nature and unavailability of favourable habitat they cannot survive in captivity for long. Therefore, after taking their venom, they should be returned to their natural environment.

Status

Less common