Reptiles
Banded Krait
Bungarus fasciatus
At the edge of a flooded rice paddy at dusk, a banded krait glides from its hiding place, its black and yellow bands flashing as it begins to hunt.
Overview
The banded krait, Bungarus fasciatus, is a Least Concern venomous snake of wetlands, rice fields, and forests from India and Nepal through Southeast Asia to southern China and Indonesia. Its bold bands, triangular body, and taste for other snakes make it one of the most striking elapids of Asia.
A snake with two faces
By day the banded krait is slow and placid, but at night it hunts actively, and its powerful venom makes it a serious danger to anyone who treads on it in the dark.
Status
Least Concern, widespread across a large range.
Banded Krait: common questions
Is the banded krait dangerous?
Yes, it has a powerful neurotoxic venom that can cause paralysis, though it is placid by day and bites are rare.
What does the banded krait eat?
It feeds mostly on other snakes, including venomous ones, as well as lizards, frogs, and fish.
Why is it banded black and yellow?
The bold bands warn predators of its venom, a pattern shared by many dangerous snakes.
Where is the banded krait found?
It lives in wetlands, rice fields, and forests from India and Nepal through Southeast Asia to southern China and Indonesia.