Common Krait

The common krait is a highly venomous elapid of the Indian subcontinent, found in grasslands, agricultural fields and human settlements. The average length is 0.9m, and it can reach 1.75m. The head is flat and the neck barely visible, and the body is cylindrical, tapering to a short rounded tail. The body is black or bluish-black with narrow white crossbands (Wikipedia, general species account).

The scales are highly polished and the row down the back is distinctly enlarged and hexagonal. Females lay clutches of 5 to 15 eggs in secluded places such as leaf litter or burrows, in late winter or in the summer months. It is widely distributed across South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Nepal. Like other kraits it is dangerous and should be left alone.