Common Krait
Bungarus caeruleus
Description
The Common Krait is one of India's "Big Four" venomous snakes and is considered the most dangerous nocturnal snake on the subcontinent. Its venom is 16 times more potent than that of the Indian Cobra, making it one of the deadliest snakes in Asia.
Distinguished by its sleek, smooth-scaled body with alternating black and white crossbands, the Common Krait is primarily nocturnal and docile during the day. Most bites occur at night when people sleeping on the ground are unknowingly bitten — the bite is often painless, leading to delayed treatment.
The krait's neurotoxic venom causes progressive paralysis, starting with drooping eyelids and progressing to respiratory failure. Without anti-venom treatment, the fatality rate can be as high as 70-80%. This snake feeds primarily on other snakes, including its own species, as well as lizards, frogs, and small mammals.