Head to head
Banded Krait vs Sea Krait
Banded Krait
VS Sea Krait
The banded krait and sea krait are two boldly banded, venomous snakes with powerful venom and placid temperaments, one living on land and the other on the coast.
| Banded Krait | Sea Krait | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Bungarus fasciatus | Laticauda (a genus of several species) |
| Pattern | Bold, alternating black and yellow bands along the length of its body | Bold, dark bands around a pale body, typically black on bluish grey or white |
| Body | A body that is triangular in cross-section, with a ridge down the back and a short, blunt tail | A flattened, paddle-like tail for swimming, with the broad belly scales of a land snake |
| Diet | Mostly other snakes, including venomous ones, as well as lizards, frogs, and fish | Almost entirely eels and small eel-like fish, hunted by probing into reef crevices and burrows |
| Habitat and range | Wetlands, rice fields, and forests from India and Nepal through Southeast Asia to southern China and Indonesia | Warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, from East Africa and the Red Sea to Australia, Japan, and Pacific islands |
| Temperament | Slow and docile by day, often hiding with its head tucked under its coils, and more alert at night | Generally slow-moving, docile, and reluctant to bite |
| Venom | A powerful venom that acts on the nerves and can cause paralysis | Among the most potent of any snake by weight, though its small mouth and short fangs often fail to penetrate human skin deeply |
| Conservation status | Least Concern, with a stable population | Least Concern |
Banded Krait vs Sea Krait: common questions
Which krait lives in the sea?
The sea krait, which lives on coral reefs and rocky coasts but returns to land to lay its eggs, rest, and shed its skin.
Which krait eats other snakes?
The banded krait, which feeds mostly on other snakes, including venomous ones, as well as lizards, frogs, and fish.
Are they dangerous?
Both have powerful venom, but both are placid and reluctant to bite, though a bite needs urgent medical attention.