Thai: งูสามเหลี่ยม, งูก้านปล้อง, งูตามธาร, งูทับธาร

(ngu sam laem, ngu kan plong)

Description

Bungarus fasciatus is a venomous elapid snake species found in India, Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. It is commonly called thebanded krait.

B. fasciatus is easily identified by its alternate black and yellow bands, its triangular body cross-section and the marked vertebral ridge consisting of enlarged vertebral shields along its body. The head is broad and depressed. The eyes are black. It has arrowhead-like yellow markings on its otherwise black head and has yellow lips, lore, chin and throat.

The banded krait has been recorded to grow to a length of 2.125 metres (83.7 in), but normally the maximum length encountered is 1.8 metres (71 in) or less.

The snake has an entire anal scale and single subcaudals. The tail is small and ends like a finger-tip, generally being one tenth the length of the snake

Banded kraits may be seen in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests to agricultural lands. They inhabit termitemounds and rodent holes close to water, and often live near human settlement, especially villages, because of their supply of rodents and water. They prefer the open plains of the countryside.

The banded krait has been found in Myanmar up to an altitude of 5000 feet.

Though venomous, banded kraits are shy, not typically seen, and are mainly nocturnal. When harassed, they will usually hide their heads under their coils, and do not generally attempt to bite, though at night they are much more active and widely considered to be more dangerous then.

During the day, they lie up in grass, pits or drains. The snakes are lethargic and sluggish even under provocation. They are most commonly seen in the rains.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus_fasciatus

Occurence: All over Thailand

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Poison:

†

Strong poison, deadly! Death can occur after 30 min.  No specific antivenin is available for this snake.

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Venom

B. fasciatus venom is neurotoxic, and has been estimated by Col. Frank Wall in 1911 to be 1/7 to 1/14 as potent as the common cobra venom. The LD50 of banded krait venom is 1.6 mg/kg-2.4 mg/kg. There are few authenticated records of human beings having been bitten. A bullock has been reported to have died within 60 minutes of being bitten.^[1]

The polyvalent antivenin (antivenom), developed by Alan Van Dyke and available in India, is not meant to be used with this snake. No specific antivenin is available for this snake.

Breeding habits

Little is known of its breeding habits. In Myanmar, a female has been dug out while incubating a clutch of 8 eggs, four of which hatched in May. Young have been recorded to measure 298 to 311mm on hatching. The snake is believed to become adult in the third year of its life, at an approximate length of 914mm.