Lesser Black Krait
Bungarus niger
A glossy black krait of the eastern Indian subcontinent and Himalayan foothills, dangerously venomous and prone to entering rural dwellings at night.
- Venomous?
- Venomous
- Adult length
- 0.9-1.3 m (3-4.3 ft)
- Range
- South Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar)
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Overview
The Lesser Black Krait is a medium-sized, highly venomous elapid found across parts of northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, and neighboring regions. Like all kraits, it possesses a potent neurotoxic venom capable of causing severe, sometimes fatal envenomation.
It is nocturnal and often enters human dwellings in rural areas in search of prey, which increases the risk of chance encounters, especially at night.
How to identify it
- Uniform glossy black to dark bluish-black body in adults, sometimes with faint pale flecking
- Smooth scales with a distinctive enlarged vertebral row of hexagonal scales running down the spine
- Cylindrical body with a short tail and a head barely wider than the neck
- Round pupils, though rarely visible given its nocturnal habits
- Juveniles may show more visible thin white crossbands than adults
Habitat & range
Found in a range of lowland and foothill habitats including agricultural land, forest edges, and villages across northeastern India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and parts of Myanmar.
Behavior, diet & reproduction
Strictly nocturnal, becoming active after dusk to hunt other snakes and small vertebrates. By day it hides in burrows, termite mounds, or under debris. Bites often occur at night when a person inadvertently rolls onto or steps near an animal that has entered living spaces. Lays eggs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lesser Black Krait dangerous?
Yes, its venom is highly neurotoxic and can be fatal without prompt medical attention.
When is it most active?
It is strictly nocturnal, hunting at night and remaining hidden during the day.
Why do bites often happen indoors?
This krait sometimes enters rural homes at night in search of prey, leading to accidental encounters with sleeping people.
What does it eat?
Mainly other snakes, along with small mammals and lizards.
Lesser Black Krait guides
In-depth guides for identifying and understanding Lesser Black Krait.
