The Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is a strikingly patterned snake easily recognized by its alternating black and yellow bands that encircle the body. It has a broad, flattened head distinct from the neck, smooth glossy scales, and a triangular body cross-section. Typically found in lowland forests, agricultural fields, and near water sources across South and Southeast Asia, this nocturnal species preys mainly on other snakes, frogs, and small vertebrates.
Banded Krait
Bungarus fasciatus
☠️ Highly venomous
Description
Venomous?
Yes. It is a highly venomous elapid snake. Its venom contains powerful neurotoxins that can cause paralysis and respiratory failure if untreated. However, bites to humans are rare due to its shy and nocturnal behavior.
A Danger to Humans?
Not aggressive. The Banded Krait is generally timid and slow-moving during the day, preferring to hide under debris or in burrows. It rarely bites unless severely provoked or handled. Despite its potent venom, it poses minimal danger to humans due to its non-confrontational nature.
Population Size
Stable
Life Span
-
WEIGHT
30.5 g
LENGTH
Total length 2.3 meters
Ca
Carnivore
No
Nocturnal
Te
Terrestrial
Classification
KINGDOM
:
Animalia
PHYLUM
:
Chordata
CLASS
:
Reptilia
ORDER
:
Squamata
FAMILY
:
Elapidae
GENUS
:
Bungarus
SPECIES
:
Bungarus fasciatus
Distribution
Bungarus fasciatus lives in lowland areas up to an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level. Its main habitat is forests, swamps, agricultural land, plantations. This snake sometimes roams around settlements or near water.
Geography
Continent : Asia
Country : Bungarus fasciatus is a krait type with a wide geographical distribution. Its distribution includes northeastern India (Assam, West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Tripura), Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, southern China (including Hong Kong and Hainan) , Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan), and Brunei Darussalam.
Habits and Lifestyle
Active at night (nocturnal) and roaming on land (terrestrial). during the day, hiding and resting in termite mounds and rodent holes, under and between rocks, or under piles of coir and palm leaves. Including snakes that are not aggressive. If it feels disturbed, this snake does not respond by attacking, but instead hides its head under the scroll of its body.
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
Biome
Forest
Climate Zone
Tropical
Diet and Nutrition
Bungarus fasciatus is a carnivore. Its main diet is other snakes, including rat snakes and snakes. Apart from other snakes, welang also prey on lizards and several other small animals
Diet : Carnivora
Mating Habits
Bungarus fasciatus reproduces by laying eggs (ovipar). The number of eggs produced is 4 to 14 eggs and will hatch after being incubated for 61 days. The newly hatched snakes are between 24 and 40 cm long.
Reproduction session : –
Incubation periods: 61 days
Independent age : at birth
Baby name : –
Baby carrying : 4 – 14 eggs
Population
Population status : Least Concern (LC)
NE
DD
LC
NT
VU
EN
CR
EW
EX
Population threats
The species is persecuted by people, and there is mortality through roadkill. There may be a localized threat from overharvesting, although there is little evidence of decline in most of this snake’s range.
Population number
Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large overall population, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a more threatened category.
PHOTO GALLERY
Reference
- Stuart, B., Nguyen, T.Q., Thy, N., Vogel, G., Wogan, G., Srinivasulu, C., Srinivasulu, B., Das, A., Thakur, S. & Mohapatra, P. 2013. Bungarus fasciatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2013: e.T192063A2034956
- Bungarus fasciatus Wikipedia article
- Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.