Elapidae
Malayan Krait
VenomousBungarus candidus
6 photographs of the Malayan Krait. © Oscar Hopgood.
The Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 10 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
- Elapidae
- Danger
- high
About the Malayan Krait
Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait or blue krait, is an extremely venomous species of snake. The blue krait is a member of the genus Bungarus and the family Elapidae.
Description
The Malayan krait may attain a total length of 108 cm (43 in), with a tail 16 cm (6.3 in) long.
Dorsally, it has a pattern of 27–34 dark-brown, black, or bluish-black crossbands on the body and tail, which are narrowed and rounded on the sides. The first crossband is continuous with the dark color of the head. The dark crossbands are separated by broad, yellowish-white interspaces, which may be spotted with black. Ventrally, it is uniformly white.
An unbanded black phenotype also occurs in some populations, reportedly in West and Central Java.
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows, with the vertebral row much enlarged. The ventrals number 195–237; the anal plate is entire; and the single (undivided) subcaudals are 37–56 in number.
Distribution and habitat
It is found in Southeast Asia from Indochina south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.
Venom
In mice, the intravenous LD50 for this species is 0.1 mg/kg. Its mortality rate is 60–70% in untreated humans. The amount of venom injected is 5 mg, while the lethal dose for a 75kg human is 1 mg.
Like many members of the genus Bungarus, the venom of the Malayan krait is highly neurotoxic. The major components of the venom are notably three-finger toxins (3FTxs) and Kunitz-type inhibitors. These toxins as reported can mostly trigger progressive neuromuscular paralysis leading to respiratory failure and in some cases, cardiovascular interruptions like hypertension and shock.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Malayan Krait
- Is the Malayan Krait venomous?
- Yes. The Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) is venomous and belongs to the Elapidae family (cobra, mamba, coral or sea snake). Its bite is considered high risk to people. Treat any bite as a medical emergency.
- Is the Malayan Krait poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Malayan Krait is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Malayan 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 Malayan Krait live?
- The Malayan Krait has verified records in 10 countries, including Indonesia, Thailand, Viet Nam. See the distribution section below for its full range.
If you are bitten by the Malayan Krait
Do
- 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
More Elapidae snakes
Classification
How scientists group this snake, from the broadest category down to the exact species. Each step narrows to its closest relatives.
Keep learning
- Are Snakes Dangerous? The Real Risk, in PerspectiveMost snakes are harmless and avoid people. Here is the honest picture of snakebite risk worldwide and how to lower your own.
- Snakebite First Aid: What to Do (and What Never to Do)A clear, CDC-based guide to snakebite first aid: the steps that help, the popular myths that hurt, and how to tell a serious bite from a minor one.
- Venomous vs Nonvenomous: How to Tell the DifferenceThe folk rules for telling venomous snakes apart, where each one fails, and why location-based identification beats guessing by sight.
- What to Do If You Find a SnakeFound a snake at home or on a trail? Here is how to stay calm, give it space, identify it safely, and know when to call a professional.
Distribution from GBIF & iNaturalist. Venom status per CDC. Background: Wikipedia. Informational only. Never handle a snake to identify it.