Blue krait
In Thai: งูทับสมิงคลา, ngu thap saming khlaa
Binomial name: Bungarus candidus, Carolus Linnaeus, 1758
Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait or blue krait, is a highly venomous species of snake. The blue krait is a member of the elapid family.
Description and Explanation
The Malayan krait may attain a total length of 108 cm (about 3.5 ft), 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 e.g. Bali and 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.
Habitation
It is found in southeast Asia from Indochina south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.
Venom
In mice, the IV for this species is 0.1 mg/kg. It has caused an untreated mortality rate of 60-70% on humans.
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Scientific classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Class
- Reptilia
- Order
- Squamata
- Suborder
- Serpentes
- Family
- Elapidae
- Genus
- Bungarus
- Species
- Bungarus candidus
Common names
- German: Blauer Krait
- English: Blue krait
- Thai:
- งูทับสมิงคลา, ngu thap saming khlaa
- งูปล้องเงิน (ใต้), ngu phong ngern (South Thailand)
- งูทับทางขาว (อีสาน), ngu thap thaang khao (Isaan)
- งูทำทาน (อีสาน), ngu tham thaan (Isaan)
Synonyms
- Bungarus candidus, Van Stanley Bartholomew Wallach et al. (2014)
- Bungarus candidus, Livigni (2013)
- Bungarus candidus, Nguyen Van Sang et al. (2009)
- Bungarus candidus, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
- Bungarus candidus, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
- Bungarus javanicus, Ulrich Kuch (1996)
- Bungarus javanicus, Kenneth Welsh (1994)
- Bungarus candidus, Kenneth Welsh (1994)
- Bungarus candidus, Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943)
- Bungarus javanicus, Felix Kopstein (1932)
- Bungarus candidus var. semifasciata, Franz Werner (1900)
- Bungarus candidus, Theodore Edward Cantor (1847)
- Aspidoclonion semifasciatum, Johann Georg Wagler (1828)
- Bungarus semifasciatus, Friedrich Boie (1827)
- Coluber candidus, Carolus Linnaeus (1758)
Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)
Photos
Range Map

- Ban Khok District, Uttaradit
- Bang Lang National Park
- Bueng Sam Phan District, Phetchabun
- Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi
- Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Doi Phu Kha National Park
- Erawan National Park
- Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
- Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
- Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
- Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
- Kaeng Krachan National Park
- Kaeng Tana National Park
- Kathu District, Phuket
- Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary
- Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park
- Khao Chong
- Khao Luang National Park
- Khao Nan National Park
- Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Khao Sok National Park
- Khao Suan Kwang District, Khon Kaen
- Khao Yai Da
- Khao Yai National Park
- Khok Pho District, Pattani
- Ko Kut District, Trat
- Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
- Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai
- Mae On District, Chiang Mai
- Mae Sot District, Tak
- Makham District, Chanthaburi
- Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi
- Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
- Mueang Mukdahan District, Mukdahan
- Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima
- Nam Nao National Park
- Namtok Phlio National Park
- Nang Rong District, Buriram
- Nong Kung Si District, Kalasin
- Pa Sang District, Lamphun
- Phra Yuen District, Khon Kaen
- Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum
- Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phu Si Than Wildlife Sanctuary
- Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary
- Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi
- Sai Yok National Park
- Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
- Sanom District, Surin
- Si Racha District, Chonburi
- Tarutao National Marine Park
- Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi
- Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
- Umphang District, Tak
- Waeng District, Narathiwat
- Wang Nam Yen District, Sa Kaeo
- Yod Dom Wildlife Sanctuary