What are the characteristics of a common krait?

In this blog, we shall discuss the following queries: What is the taxonomy of a common krait? What are the physical characteristics of a common krait? What is the diet of a common krait? What is the habitat of a common krait? What is the geographical distribution of a common krait? What is the predatory behavior of a common krait? What is the reproductive behavior of a common krait? How dangerous is the venom of a common krait? How can you manage the bite of a common krait? What are the threats to the survival of a common krait? What is the conservation status of a common krait?

What is the taxonomy of a common krait?

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Family: Elapidae

Genus: Bungarus

Species: B.caeruleus

What are the physical characteristics of a common krait?

Avg. Life span: 20 years

Avg. Length: 0.9 m

Head: The head is flat with indistinguishable eyes and round pupils.

Body: The body is cylindrical. Males are generally longer than females. The tail is rounded and short.

Scales: The scales are black or bluish-black, having 15 to 17 rows, especially the vertebral row, which is prominent and hexagonal. Albino species can also be found.

What is the diet of a common krait?

Adult snakes feast on:

• Young kraits
• Frogs
• Lizards
• Rodents
• Fish

The young ones usually feed on arthropods.

What is the habitat of a common krait?

Common kraits are found everywhere from rocky terrain to populated villages. Their habitat overlaps with the habitat of humans. Therefore, they live near the water bodies for quick access to water. In the daytime, these snakes live under the debris and in termite mounds.

Geographically, the common krait is distributed across the sub-continent, such as India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

What is the predatory behavior of a common krait?

Common kraits are solitary snakes that travel alone. They can be active both day and night, but night is generally the preferred time. Furthermore, they hiss loudly or remain silent in the vicinity of the prey. When threatened, these snakes coil with a stiff body and make jerky movements. They usually hold on to their prey for a while and then let go. Lastly, common kraits are aggressive at night.

What is the reproductive behavior of a common krait?

Type of reproduction: Oviparous

Breeding season: Late winter and summer

Avg. age at puberty: 3 years

Avg. litter size: 12–14 young ones

Incubation period: 60 days

Hatchlings: Same as adults and around 12 inches. They are independent.

Eggs are laid under the debris or the leaves, which helps protect and camouflage the eggs from the predators. Females guard the eggs until they are hatched.

How dangerous is the venom of a common krait?

The bites of common kraits are painless as the neurotoxin of the venom does not affect the heart of the prey. This is both good and bad. On one hand, it secures the heart, but on the other hand, it slowly drains the diaphragm, which comes into notice when it’s too late. The average venom injected is 10 mg dry weight. Similarly, the lethal dose in humans is 2–3 mg. The venom of the common krait snake is the most potent venom among Indian snakes.

How can you manage the bite of a common krait?

Most of the bites occur in the house, so make sure to sleep in beds rather than on the ground. If a person is bitten, immediate medical treatment is required. The polyvalent antivenom usually does not work when the symptoms set in, so it is better to deal with it in time. Facial paralysis and shortness of breath are the two most common signs seen initially.

What are the threats to the survival of a common krait?

There are no known threats to the survival of the common krait at present.

What is the conservation status of a common krait?

The common krait is not on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list, and its status is not evaluated.

Bottom line

This blog covered the following questions: What is the taxonomy of a common krait? What are the physical characteristics of a common krait? What is the diet of a common krait? What is the habitat of a common krait? What is the geographical distribution of a common krait? What is the predatory behavior of a common krait? What is the reproductive behavior of a common krait? How dangerous is the venom of a common krait? How can you manage the bite of a common krait? What are the threats to the survival of a common krait? What is the conservation status of a common krait?