CLASSIFICATION OF BUNGARUS : KRAIT
PHYLUM :- CHORDATA (Notochord, dorsal tubular nerve cord present and gill slits present )
Group :- CRANIATA ( Definite head. Cranium with brain present )
Sub-phylum :- VERTEBRATA ( vertebral column present)
Division :- GNATHOSTOMATA ( Jaws and paired appendages present )
Super class :- TETRAPODA ( Paired limbs, lungs, bony skeleton and cornified skin)
Class :- REPTILIA ( Scaly vertebrates with right and left aortic arches. Single condyle, pulmonary respiration. Embryo with amnion and allantois ).
Sub-class :- DIAPSIDA ( Skull with two temporal openings separated by postorbital and squamosal ).
Order :- SQUAMATA ( Lizards and snakes with horny epidermal scales or shields. Quadrate bone movable. Vertebrae procoelous. Anal opening transverse).
Sub-order :- OPHIDIA ( Snakes. Limbs, feet, ear openings sternum and urinary bladder absent. Mandibles jointed anteriorly by ligament. Tongue slender, bifid and protrusible. Left lung reduced).
Family :- ELAPIDAE ( 2 or more short, rigid erect fangs ).
Genus :- Bungarus
GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION
Bungarus is found in South East Asia, allover India and Malayasia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Nepal.
HABIT AND HABITAT
It is a common snake, found in the crevices of walls, under the logs and stones. It is nocturnal and feeds on smaller snakes, toads and mice. It is shy and considerate. It attacks only when disturbed or trodden with foot.
GENERAL CHARACTERSTICS OF BUNGARUS : KRAIT
- Commonly called as Krait.
- Body is elongated and cylindrical, measuring one metre in length. Body divided into head, neck, trunk and tail.
- Colour of body steel-blue and dark-blue. Dark-blue, patches alternate with white cross bands.
- Head is not differentiated from the neck. Loreal absent. Post-ocular, preocular and supra-labial 2, 1 and 7 in number respectively. Fangs small. Head contains eyes, nostrils, bifid and protrusible tongue.
- Eyes are of moderate size with round pupils.
- Scales are smooth forming 13-17 rows. Ventrals are 194-234 and caudals 42-52.
- Large mid-dorsal hexagonal scales are present. Ventral scales beyond the anal region are in a single row.
- Males are longer, with proportionately longer tails. The head is flat and the neck hardly evident.
- Oviparous. Female shows parental care.
Special features
Bungarus or Krait is a deadly poisonous snake, its venom being more poisonous than that of cobra. Its venom is neurotoxic affecting brain. After an hour of the bite, the’ victim feels sleepy and if immediate antivenom is not given, the patient may die.
Identification
This snake contains hexagonal scales on body on dorsal side and above features,hence it is Bungarus or Krait.
REFERENCES
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus
- Book of Practical Zoology VERTEBRATE by S.S.LAL – Rastogi Publications.
- SOURCES OF IMAGES – https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FCommon_krait&psig=AOvVaw0w8yNwtKkAl4Za8ILJXmvR&ust=1603086833039000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwiSsYv7ub3sAhWhSXwKHXRGDIcQr4kDegUIARDRAQ
- https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fin.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F287245282454007902%2F&psig=AOvVaw0w8yNwtKkAl4Za8ILJXmvR&ust=1603086833039000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=2ahUKEwiSsYv7ub3sAhWhSXwKHXRGDIcQr4kDegUIARDZAQ
