Is the Blossom Krait venomous?

Yes. The Blossom Krait (Rhabdophis ceylonensis) is venomous and belongs to the Colubridae family (keelback (rear-fanged)). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.

Is the Blossom Krait poisonous?

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Blossom Krait is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.

Where does the Blossom Krait live?

The Blossom Krait has verified records in 2 countries, including Sri Lanka, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

Colubridae

Blossom Krait

Venomous

Rhabdophis ceylonensis

Blossom Krait — Rhabdophis ceylonensis, © Tero Linjama

6 photographs of the Blossom Krait. © Tero Linjama.

The Blossom Krait (Rhabdophis ceylonensis) is a venomous snake in the Colubridae family, recorded in 2 countries.

If you are bitten

This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.

Family: Colubridae
Danger: high

About the Blossom Krait

Rhabdophis ceylonensis is endemic to the island of Sri Lanka. The species is commonly known as the Sri Lanka blossom krait, the Sri Lanka keelback, and මල් කරවලා (mal karawala) or නිහලුවා (nihaluwa) in Sinhala. It is a moderately venomous snake.

Distribution and habitat

Rhabdophis ceylonensis is a poorly-known snake from wet forests and some parts of intermediate forests in the lowlands and midhills of Sri Lanka.

Scalation

R. ceylonensis has dorsal scales in 19 rows at midbody. The ventrals number 131-141, the anal scale is divided, and the subcaudals number 40-54.

Ecology

R. ceylonensis is a slow-moving snake. When threatened, it raises the anterior part of its body, which it inflates to expose the red skin between the dorsal scales on its neck. Its diet consists of frogs, while hatchlings are known to eat orthopterans.

Reproduction

R. ceylonensis is oviparous. About 7 eggs are produced at a time, measuring 19-22 × 9.5-13.2mm (about .75 x .5 inch). They hatch in March to produce young measuring about 102 mm (4.0 in) including tail.

Description

R. ceylonensis has a head distinct from the neck. The eye is large, with a round pupil. Its dorsal side is olive-brown in color, with black cross-bars that enclose a series of large yellow or red black-edged spots. Its interstitial skin is red. Nuchal glands extend along the anterior part of the body to the 15th ventral.

Venom

R. ceylonensis possesses a venom, and has been known to inflict life-threatening bites (termed, Hazard Level 1). Although it does not have hollow fangs in the front of the upper jaw, it does have two enlarged, curved, grooved teeth at the rear of each upper jaw.

Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.

Frequently asked: Blossom Krait

Is the Blossom Krait venomous?: Yes. The Blossom Krait (Rhabdophis ceylonensis) is venomous and belongs to the Colubridae family (keelback (rear-fanged)). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
Is the Blossom Krait poisonous?: Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Blossom Krait is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
Is the Blossom Krait dangerous?: This is a venomous snake. Treat any bite as a medical emergency: stay calm, keep the bitten limb still and roughly level with the heart, remove rings and tight clothing, and get to emergency care immediately. Do not apply a tourniquet, cut the wound, apply ice, or try to suck out venom. Call your local emergency number or poison center.
Where does the Blossom Krait live?: The Blossom Krait has verified records in 2 countries, including Sri Lanka, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.

If you are bitten by the Blossom Krait

A venomous snakebite is a medical emergency. Call your local emergency number immediately. In the US, dial 911 or Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Get away from the snake and stay calm. Most bites worsen when people panic or try again to handle the snake.
Call 911 or Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) right away. Antivenom works best when given early.
Note the time of the bite and, from a safe distance, the snake's color and pattern, a phone photo is enough. Do not chase it.
Keep the bitten limb still and at roughly heart level. Sit or lie down and limit movement.
Remove rings, watches, and tight clothing near the bite before swelling starts.
Gently wash the bite with soap and water and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.

Do not

Do not cut the wound or try to suck out the venom.
Do not apply a tourniquet or ice.
Do not drink alcohol or caffeine.
Do not take aspirin or ibuprofen, they can worsen bleeding. Acetaminophen is safer for pain.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. A dead snake can still bite by reflex.

First-aid guidance adapted from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC NIOSH), Venomous Snakes. Educational only; always follow the instructions of emergency responders.

Where it is found

Sri Lanka India

More Colubridae snakes

Classification

How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.

OrderThe broad group of scaled reptiles: all snakes and lizards: Squamata
FamilyA group of related snakes that share key traits: Colubridae
GenusA close-knit group of very similar species: Rhabdophis
SpeciesThis exact snake, named in the two-part scientific name: Rhabdophis ceylonensis

Keep learning

Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.