Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus (Blyth, 1861)
Many-banded Krait 銀環蛇
(Highly venomous)

Bungarus multicinctus
Order
Suborder
Squamata 有鱗目
Serpentes 蛇亞目
Family Elapidae 眼鏡蛇科
Genus Bungarus 環蛇屬
Species Bungarus multicinctus multicinctus
Other name Narrow-banded Krait, Chinese Krait
Chinese name 銀環蛇指名亞種, 銀腳帶, 銀蛇, 白節蛇, 銀包鐵,
Total length Average 80 - 105 cm, can grow up to 150 cm.
Description

Back with 35 or more pairs of alternating black and white crossbands, black bands being wider.
Black speckling may be found on the yellow band.
Bands do not extend to the ventral. Ventrals greyish white.
Body with triangular cross-section similar to but less pronounced as Band Krait (Bungarus fasciatus).
Head primarily black. Whitish labials with black edge.
Two whitish blotches present on lower side of head in juveniles.
Short, thin tail tapering towards the end.
Scales larger along vertebral ridge than other dorsal scales. Scales smooth.
Extremely venomous. Potent neurotoxic toxin affects the nervous system and kills by causing respiratory paralysis and possible heart failure.
Snake bites cause no pain, only itches mildly.
Poisoning develops in 1 - 4 hours; Delayed treatment can be fatal.
Known to have caused several human death in Hong Kong.

Habitat

Inhabits a diversity of habitats including shrubland, forest, agricultural areas and edges of mangroves but prefers marshy areas.
Sometimes found inside catchwaters.

Behaviour

Nocturnal. Not as tame as Band Krait (Bungarus fasciatus).
Often thrash forcefully and may bite when caught.
Unsafe to hold a krait, as neck is flexible and can twist and bite with one fang even when held behind the head.

Diet

Mainly ophiophagous. Also eats rodents, eels, frogs and lizards.
Feeds well on rat snakes in captivity.

Reproduction

Oviparous. Lays 4 - 8 eggs a time. Hatchling 25 - 30 cm in total length.

Distribution

Widely distributed in New Territories and on some local islands.
Common in Tai Po Kau Forest Nature Reserve.
Distributed throughout southern China including Taiwan, Burma, Laos and northern Vietnam.

Conservation Status IUCN Redlist: NE (Not Evaluated)
China Redlist: Vulnerable
Bungarus multicinctus Bungarus multicinctus Bungarus multicinctus Bungarus multicinctus Bungarus multicinctus Bungarus multicinctus
More images on Google