Banded Krait

Bungarus fasciatus a venomous elapid snake species . It has been recorded from northeast India through Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and southern China to Malaysia and the main Indonesian islands of Borneo as well as Singapore. In India, it is generally found in the North-East. It has been recorded in Bihar and Orissa and as far south and west as Hyderabad, Awadh, the Godavari and Mahanadi valleys. Banded kraits may be seen in a variety of habitats ranging from forests to agricultural lands. They inhabit termite mounds and rodent holes close to water, and often live near human settlement, especially villages because of their supply of rodents and water. They prefer the open plains of the countryside. The banded krait has been found in Myanmar up to an altitude of 5000 feet. B. fasciatus is easily identified by its alternate black and yellow bands, its triangular body cross-section and the marked vertebral ridge consisting of enlarged vertabral shields along its body. The head is broad and depressed. The eye is black. It has arrow-head like yellow markings on its otherwise black head and has yellow lips, lore, chin and throat. The banded krait has been recorded to grow up to a length of 2125mm, but normally the maximum length encountered is 1800mm or less. The snake has an entire anal scale and single subcaudals. The tail is small and ends like a finger-tip, generally being one tenth the length of the snake. Though venomous the banded krait is a shy snake, not typically seen, and is mainly nocturnal. When harassed they will usually hide their head under their coils, and do not generally attempt to bite, though at night they are much more active and widely considered to be more dangerous then. During the day they lie up in grass, pits or drains. The snakes are lethargic and sluggish even under provocation. They are most commonly seen in the rains. Little is known of its breeding habits.