BUNGARUS

Family: Elapidae (Elapids)
Subfamily: Bungarinae
Genus: Bungarus (Kraits)

Picture: J. Bulian

Bungarus fasciatus (Banded Krait)
Thai: ngu sam liam

Length: Up to 150 cm

Occurrence: Whole of Thailand

Behaviour/habitat:
The banded krait is mainly found in lowlands and hilly areas. This animal has also been discovered at heights of 2300 meters. The snakes are residents of open plains, fields, grass lands and woods. They often live near to water. These snakes try to avoid sunlight. If they are pushed out into the sun, they throw their body around and hide their head under the body or try to flee into the shadows. During the day, these snakes are too lazy to bite and on snake farms, they are simply pulled out their nests by hand and shown to the visitors. According to statistics, around 50% of the bite cases happen in this way during the day. These snakes feed mainly on other snakes. They do also eat lizards and rodents. The snake is nocturnal.

Attention: Danger of confusing this snake with:
Boiga dendrophila
Lycodon laoensis
Dryocalamus subannulatus

Picture: J. Bulian

Bungarus candidus (Malayan Krait or Blue Krait)
Thai: ngoo tap saming kha

Length: Up to 160 cm

Occurrence: Throughout Thailand, particularly in the north east of the country.

Behaviour/habitat:
The Blue Krait resides in the lowlands. The snake is seldom found over a height of 1200 m. They like to live near water. These snakes usually only bite in self-defence e.g. if they are stood on or injured. Just like the striped Krait, they are do not like sunlight and are nocturnal.

Picture: J. Bulian

Bungarus flaviceps (Red-headed Krait)
Thai: ngoo hoowa daeng hang daeng

Length: Up to 210 cm

Occurrence: Southern Thailand from Ranong

Behaviour/habitat:
The Red-headed Krait inhabits the rain forests in mountain and hilly regions. They are hardly ever to be found in humans habitats. This species is very rare. These snakes eat almost exclusively other snakes. Just like the other two Kraits, the Red-headed Krait does not like daylight and is nocturnal. This does not mean that dealing with these snakes is not dangerous. Such animals have also been observed during the day and have even been seen to be eating.

Danger:
Although the Red-headed Krait is too lazy to bite, the poison is very strong and it therefore must be counted as dangerous. In addition, this snake can move very quickly.