Bungarus fasciatus
Silhouette: Michael Scroggie, from original photograph by Gary M. Stolz, USFWS (original photograph in public domain). · PhyloPic
In 3 days ~20% in a week ~40%
The banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is a venomous species of elapid endemic to Asia, from Indian subcontinent through Southeast Asia to Southern China. With a maximum length exceeding 2 m (6 ft 7 in), it is the longest krait with a distinguishable gold and black pattern. While this species is generally considered timid and docile, resembling other members of the genus, its venom is highly neurotoxic which is lethal to humans. Although toxicity of the banded krait based upon murine LD50 experiments is lower than that of many other kraits, its venom yield is the highest due to its size.
The banded krait is easily identified by its alternate black and yellow crossbands all of which encircle the body. The head is broad and depressed and it is not distinct from the neck. The eyes are black. It has arrowhead-like yellow markings on its otherwise black head and has yellow lips, lores, chin, and throat. The tail is relatively small, about one-tenth the length of the snake.
The longest banded krait measured was 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) long, but normally the length encountered is 1.8 m (5 ft 11 in). Scalation: 15 dorsal scale rows at midbody; sub-caudal scutes undivided throughout... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cat Tien National Park | 🇻🇳 Vietnam | |
| 2 | Khao Yai National Park | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
| # | Zoo / Centre | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Siam Serpentarium | 🇹🇭 Thailand | |
| 2 | Snake Farm of Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute | 🇹🇭 Thailand |
With luck
About 10% of wildlife watchers report a Banded Krait sighting in Hong Kong on a given day, based on 23 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data. It is the 26th most-seen of the 43 reptiles we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 20%, and over a week to about 40%, if each day is a fresh chance.
April to October
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Banded Krait in Hong Kong on a given day, against under 5% in November to March, the lowest months.
Between 2 and 5 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Banded Krait sightings with a recorded time, and about 8 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.
2nd of 3
Of the 3 cities where we can rate Banded Krait sightings, Hong Kong ranks 2nd at about 10%. The best odds are in Jakarta (Indonesia, about 20%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Banded Krait is recorded against all the reptiles logged in Hong Kong (23 verified sightings), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
