Krait (Bungarus fasciatus)

ReptileSnakeVenomous

Overview

Kraits (genus Bungarus) are highly venomous snakes of South and Southeast Asia, members of the cobra family (Elapidae). The banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus), shown here, is a striking species ringed with bold black-and-yellow bands and with a distinctive triangular cross-section to its body (a raised ridge along the spine). Kraits are slender, smooth-scaled, and mostly active at night.

Kraits are generally shy and placid by day — often reluctant even to bite when disturbed in daylight — but they are alert and dangerous at night, and their venom is potent.

Safety note: this is a general educational profile, not first-aid or medical guidance. Kraits are highly venomous and should never be handled or approached; for any snakebite, seek professional medical care immediately.

Habitat & Range

Kraits live across much of South and Southeast Asia, from India and Sri Lanka through China and into the Indonesian and Indochinese region, depending on the species. They favour lowland habitats including forests, fields, scrub, and areas near water and human settlements, often sheltering in burrows, termite mounds, or debris by day.

Diet

Kraits are carnivores that prey heavily on other snakes — including other kraits — as well as on lizards, frogs, and small rodents. The banded krait is a notable snake-eater. Kraits hunt mainly at night, using their potent venom to quickly subdue prey before swallowing it.

Behavior

Kraits are mostly nocturnal and show a marked change in temperament between day and night: by day they are typically sluggish and very reluctant to bite, often hiding the head under coils, but after dark they become active and far more defensive. Their venom is a powerful neurotoxin. A particular danger arises when kraits enter dwellings at night and bite sleeping people, sometimes with little pain at first — which is one reason krait bites are taken extremely seriously in their range. Kraits otherwise avoid confrontation when they can.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Kraits are among the medically most important venomous snakes in Asia, so the key message is simple: never handle, corner, or attempt to kill them, and take care at night in areas where they occur (for example, sleeping under a properly tucked bed net off the floor is widely advised). Where snakes and people overlap, awareness and professional snake removal reduce risk; ecologically, kraits help control other snakes and rodents. Consult authoritative sources and local health services for guidance.

More photos of the krait