Many-banded Krait

(Bungarus multicinctus)

The many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus) produces the most toxic venom of any terrestrial snake outside Australia.

Description

Adjacent blackish and white/grey bands run down its body, varying in intensity, with the darker bands generally being wider than the white bands. In some individual snakes, the bands may be virtually unnoticeable. Its head is oval and broad, with a long, slender body and short tail. Its underside is usually pale.

Its eyes are small and dark, with round irises that blend seamlessly into the black colouring of the upper head. The tongue is typically red or pink.

It can grow to 180cm in length.

Important: Colour, markings and overall appearance can vary considerably between individual snakes. Photographs, descriptions and information on this website should not be relied upon to identify a potentially venomous snake. If you encounter a snake, keep your distance and leave identification and removal to trained professionals.

Distribution

Confirmed records occur across southern and southeastern China, including Taiwan. The species has also been reported in Myanmar, Laos, northern Vietnam and Thailand.

Habitat

This snake occurs in a wide range of humid environments, including mountain slopes and agricultural areas. It frequents bamboo stands in coastal rainforests and forest streams. Villagers may encounter the snake in degraded habitats along roads or near villages.

Diet

This nocturnal hunter feeds on frogs, fish, lizards, snakes, mice and snake eggs. It has even been recorded eating snakes of its own species, a behaviour known as cannibalism.

Reproduction

This species is oviparous and lays 3-20 eggs per clutch. Mating generally occurs in August and September, with eggs being laid in the late spring and summer. Snakes of this species generally live for around ten years.

Venom

Its short fangs often leave no visible bite mark, and its venom generally does not cause local swelling or bleeding, making a bite hard to notice. A slight itchiness at the bite site may be the first sign the victim notices before its neurotoxic venom causes noticeable effects. Minutes to hours later, blurry vision, cramps, spasms and muscle paralysis occur, leading to weakened breathing and, in many cases, death.

Despite the potency of its venom, snakes of this species, like most others, are generally shy and prefer to be left alone. Bites often occur when the snake feels threatened, can’t escape and tries to defend itself.

Conservation status

The many-banded krait is listed as a vulnerable species. Juveniles in particular are used in traditional medicine as snake wine and spirits.

Fangtastic Fact

Venom from the many-banded krait has helped scientists better understand the nervous system. One of its toxins, alpha-bungarotoxin, binds tightly to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, which are essential for communication between nerves and muscles. By using this toxin to identify and study these receptors, researchers have gained valuable insights into how nerve signals are transmitted.

Disclaimer

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Content on this website is provided for general educational purposes and is not suitable for identifying snakes or guiding interactions with them. While reasonable care is taken to ensure accuracy, no guarantee is made regarding completeness or suitability for specific circumstances. Wild snakes should not be approached or handled, and professional snake catchers should be contacted if assistance is required. By using this website, users acknowledge and accept these terms.

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