Greater Black Krait

The greater black krait is a large, highly venomous elapid found in parts of northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. Unlike many of its banded relatives, adults are often nearly uniform in color, which can make field identification more challenging.

It is considered a medically significant species within its range, though it is less commonly encountered and studied than some other kraits due to its more restricted, localized distribution.

• Large, robust body with a low vertebral ridge
• Uniform dark brown to black dorsal coloration in adults, sometimes with faint traces of banding
• Juveniles may show more visible narrow white crossbands that fade with age
• Pale, cream-colored underside
• Round pupils

Its largely unbanded, dark adult coloration distinguishes it from the more boldly patterned krait species sharing its range.

Inhabits lowland and submontane forest, agricultural land, and areas near water in the eastern Himalayan foothills and surrounding lowlands, including parts of northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Myanmar.

Nocturnal, spending the day hidden in burrows or under cover. Its bite is considered medically significant despite it being less frequently encountered than the common krait. Diet consists largely of other snakes and small vertebrates. Reproduction is oviparous, with details of clutch size less well documented than in more widespread krait species.