Wildlifeof Nepal
Banded Krait
Cobras, Kraits & Sea Snakes
Photo: (c) Ankur Nandi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY
Bungarus fasciatus
Basic stats
Diet
Mainly other snakes; also fish, frogs, skinks and snake eggs
Habitat
Recorded up to 1,500m in Myanmar
Range
From central India through Nepal and Bangladesh to Southeast Asia and southern China
Size
Normally 1.8m; maximum over 2m (longest measured 2.25m)
The banded krait is easily identified by alternating black and yellow crossbands that all encircle the body. At a maximum length over 2m it is the longest krait, normally encountered at about 1.8m, with a longest measured length of 2.25m. It is generally considered timid and docile, but its venom is highly neurotoxic and lethal to humans, with the highest venom yield of the kraits because of its size (Wikipedia, general species account).
It is shy, not typically seen, and mainly nocturnal. The prey is swallowed head first after being made inactive by the venom, and it feeds mainly on other snakes. The species is common in the Indian states of West Bengal, Odisha, Mizoram, Assam, Manipur, Bihar and Tripura, in Nepal and in Bangladesh. Local Nepali names include gangali and Rajasaap, king of snakes. Little is known of its breeding.
Quick answers
- What does the Banded Krait eat?
- Mainly other snakes; also fish, frogs, skinks and snake eggs
- What habitat does the Banded Krait live in?
- Recorded up to 1,500m in Myanmar
- Where is the Banded Krait found?
- From central India through Nepal and Bangladesh to Southeast Asia and southern China
- How big is the Banded Krait?
- Normally 1.8m; maximum over 2m (longest measured 2.25m)