Malayan Krait

Bungarus candidus

Description

The Malayan Krait is a medium to large snake, with a distinctive pattern of wider black and white stripes. the color of the lips is usually pale and the stomach is whitish. The top of the head to the upper neck (nape) is black. It has scales – smooth and shiny scales, with an enlarged row along the spine.

Population Size

Stable

Life Span

-

WEIGHT​

30.5 g

LENGTH

Average length approximately 1 m ; maximum 1.6 m

Ca

Carnivore

No

Nocturnal

Te

Terrestrial

Classification

KINGDOM

:

Animalia

PHYLUM

:

Chordata

CLASS

:

Reptilia

ORDER

:

Squamata

FAMILY

:

Elapidae

GENUS

:

Bungarus

SPECIES

:

Bungarus candidus

Distribution

On Bali inhabits monsoon forest, savannah, and agricultural land with high rainfall, near sea level. Elsewhere known from various forests and agricultural lands up to 1500 m asl.

Geography

Continents : Asia, Southeast Asia

Country : Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, Java and Bali.

Habits and Lifestyle

The Malayan Krait is a nocturnal species and roam above the ground, but during the day, it hides and rests in termite mounds and rodent holes, under and between rocks, or under piles of coir and coconut leaves.

Lifestyle

Terrestrial

Biome

Tropical Forest

Climate Zone

Tropical

Diet and Nutrition

Its main food is other types of snakes that are smaller than it. Apart from small snakes, welings also prey on lizards, mice, and several other small animals. If it feels disturbed or threatened, this snake will hide its head under the roll of its body.

Diet : Carnivora

Mating Habits

The Malayan Krait reproduce by laying eggs (ovipar). The number of eggs produced is 4 to 10 eggs. Each newly hatched baby snake is between 27 and 29 cm long

Reproduction session :

Incubation periods : –

Independent age : at birth

Baby name : –

Baby carrying : 4 – 10 eggs

Population

Population status : Least Concern (LC)

NE

DD

LC

NT

VU

EN

CR

EW

EX

Population threats​

This species may be threatened for medicinal and food purposes, especially in Indochina. The scale of exploitation in other countries needs to be studied further.

Population number​

The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, due to its wide distribution. The species is heavily trafficked for food, traditional medicine and possibly skin in some parts of its range, but it is currently unclear whether this has an impact on global population, and national trade controls are in Vietnam.

PHOTO GALLERY

Reference

  1. Wogan, G., Vogel, G., Grismer, L., Chan-Ard, T. & Nguyen, T.Q. 2012. Bungarus candidus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T192238A2059709
  2. Bungarus candidus Wikipedia article
  3. Somaweera, R. 2017. A Naturalist’s Guide To The Reptiles and Amphibians of Bali. John Beaufoy Publishing, Oxford, England.
  4. McKay, J.L. 2006. Reptil and Amphibi di Bali. Krieger Publishing Company, Florida, USA.