How to Identify the Common Krait (Identification Guide)

Key identifying features

The Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) is a slender, cylindrical snake with a small, only slightly distinct head and smooth, glossy scales that give it an almost polished appearance. One of the most reliable field marks is the enlarged row of hexagonal vertebral scales running down the center of the back, which are noticeably larger than the scales along the sides. This vertebral ridge is a defining trait shared by all kraits and is often visible even at a distance in good light.

Coloration & pattern

Adults are typically glossy black, bluish-black, or dark brown, crossed by a series of thin, paired white or pale yellowish crossbands. These bands are often faint or broken toward the head and become more distinct and complete toward the tail. In some individuals, especially juveniles, the bands are bright white and sharply defined against the dark background, while in older snakes the pattern can appear muted or almost absent, leaving the snake looking nearly solid black. The belly is uniformly white or cream colored.

Head, eyes & scales

The head is small, rounded, and not markedly wider than the neck, which distinguishes the krait from many vipers that have broad, triangular heads. The eyes are relatively small with round pupils. Scales are smooth and glossy overall, and the single enlarged vertebral scale row is a key diagnostic feature that can be checked by looking closely at the mid-back. The tail tapers gradually to a point.

Size & body shape

The Common Krait usually reaches 0.9 to 1.25 meters in length, occasionally longer, with a slim, rounded body that lacks the keeled or rough-textured scales seen in some other snake families. The body shape is fairly uniform in width from neck to tail base, without the thick midbody bulge typical of heavy-bodied vipers.

Range & habitat where you'll see it

This species is found across the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. It inhabits a wide range of lowland environments including agricultural fields, scrublands, forests, and areas near human habitation such as gardens and building foundations. It is strictly nocturnal and terrestrial, often found near termite mounds, rock piles, or brick and rubble heaps, and it may shelter inside houses.

How to tell it apart from look-alikes

The Common Krait can be confused with harmless wolf snakes (genus Lycodon), which also show black bodies with white or yellowish crossbands. Wolf snakes are generally smaller, have flatter heads, and their crossbands tend to be broader and more evenly spaced along the entire body, including near the head, whereas krait banding is often incomplete or faint anteriorly. The single row of enlarged vertebral scales present in kraits is absent in wolf snakes, making this the most dependable distinguishing feature when the snake can be viewed closely. Other krait species in the region, such as the Banded Krait, show much broader, more strongly contrasting bands and a more angular body cross-section, distinguishing them from the narrower-banded Common Krait.