Ceylon Krait

Description:

The Sri Lankan krait is small and slender. On hatching, the length of the snake is about 250 mm (9.8 in). The average adult length for this species is 75 cm (29+1⁄2 in) with 90 cm (35+1⁄2 in) being the upper limit. Its black skin is crossed with thin white transverse bands. It has an extraordinarily long lung which it inflates when angry.

Habitat:

Endemic to Sri Lanka, it is fairly common to the central hilly areas of the island. It is frequently recorded from Kandy, Uva Province hilly areas, Peradeniya, Gelioya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Ritigala and Balangoda, but rarely recorded in low land areas. It prefers leaf litter in forests but often ventures into human dwellings, making itself at home in old masonry and crevices.

Notes:

The highly potent venom of this snake attacks the central nervous system and gradually destroys it. Death is caused when the respiratory system is suppressed. Therefore, a bite from this snake should be treated immediately, or else the victim may die within 12 hours. It feeds mainly on small reptiles, on frogs, and on small mammals like Rats. The fatal dose of venom is injected into the body of prey before beginning to consume it. (Pic: Ceylon Krait eating a Brahminy Blind Snake (Indotyphlops braminus) captured in my home garden)