Elapidae
Suzhen’s Krait
VenomousBungarus suzhenae
The Suzhen’s Krait (Bungarus suzhenae) is a venomous snake in the Elapidae family, recorded in 3 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 Suzhen’s Krait
Bungarus suzhenae, or Suzhen's krait, is a species of krait first described in the year 2021. The snake is named after Bai Suzhen, the snake goddess from the Chinese tale "Legend of the White Snake", who is revered as a deity of medicine, healing and true love. The Suzhen's krait is found in rice fields and streams in monsoon forests in southwestern China and northern Myanmar at elevations from 800 to 1,560 meters (2,620 to 5,120 ft) above sea level.
In 2001, famous herpetologist Joseph B. Slowinski died from a snakebite of this species, which was initially thought to be by an immature black-and-white banded krait, while leading an expedition team in northern Myanmar. The krait was identified as a new species of snake, following an examination of samples collected between 2016 and 2019 from Yingjiang County, Yunnan Province, China. This species is very dangerous, since kraits are potentially lethal, so understanding them is vital in saving human lives.
Etymology
The specific epithet of the species was named after Bai Suzhen, a famous powerful snake goddess of Chinese myth The Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传), in honor of her courage to true love and kindness to people. The common name is suggested as "Suzhen's krait" in English and "素贞环蛇" (sùzhēn huánshé) in Chinese.
Characteristics
Snakes of the genus Bungarus are of extreme significance medically and because all 14 species have black and white crossbands, and they are difficult to identify because of their overlapping characteristics in morphology. Suzhen's krait differs from other banded kraits in the shape of the crossbands, tail pattern, head pattern, mid body pattern, the maxilla teeth and hemipenial morphology.
Coloring
The dorsal surface of its head, the upper part of the sides of its head, including upper part of supralabials are uniform black. The lower half of its head, including the lower part of supralabials and rostral are yellowish-white. The ventral head is uniform yellowish-white and its iris is dark black.
Diet
In captivity, B. suzhenae preys on eels like the Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) and small snakes such as the yellow-spotted keelback water snake (Xenochrophis flavipunctatus), but refuse mice and frogs.
Adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA.
Frequently asked: Suzhen’s Krait
- Is the Suzhen’s Krait venomous?
- Yes. The Suzhen’s Krait (Bungarus suzhenae) 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 Suzhen’s Krait poisonous?
- Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. "Poisonous" means harmful to eat or touch; "venomous" means injecting toxins through a bite. The Suzhen’s Krait is venomous, delivering venom through a bite.
- Is the Suzhen’s 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 Suzhen’s Krait live?
- The Suzhen’s Krait has verified records in 3 countries, including China, Myanmar, India. See the distribution section below for its full range.
- What does the Suzhen’s Krait eat?
- In captivity, B. suzhenae preys on eels like the Asian swamp eel (Monopterus albus) and small snakes such as the yellow-spotted keelback water snake (Xenochrophis flavipunctatus), but refuse mice and frogs.
- Why is it called the Suzhen’s Krait?
- The specific epithet of the species was named after Bai Suzhen, a famous powerful snake goddess of Chinese myth The Legend of the White Snake (白蛇传), in honor of her courage to true love and kindness to people. The common name is suggested as "Suzhen's krait" in English and "素贞环蛇" (sùzhēn huánshé) in Chinese.
If you are bitten by the Suzhen’s 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.