| Bungarus multicinctus | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Bungarus |
| Species: | B. multicinctus |
| Binomial name | |
| Bungarus multicinctus Blyth, 1861 |
|
The Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus), also known as the Taiwanese krait or the Chinese krait, is a species of the genus Bungarus found predominantly in mainland China and Taiwan.[1]
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It is found in Taiwan, mainland China, Burma, Laos and Northern Vietnam.[2][3][1] This species can be found in elevations up to about 1,300 metres (4,300 ft), though they are more commonly found in low areas, especially in shrubland, woodland, agricultural fields and mangroves.[3]
The Many-banded krait is a medium to large-sized snake, averaging about 1 to 1.5 meters (3.3 to 4.9 ft) in length with a maximum of 1.85 meters (6.1 ft).[2] This snake has black with alternating and clear-cut black and white crossbands throughout the body, with the black bands being wider than the white bands. The body has a high vertebral ridge. Juveniles usually have a white mark on their heads.
Dorsal scales in 15 rows; ventral scales 200-231 in males, 198-227 in females; tail short and tapering; subcaudal scales single (undivided), 43-54 in males, 37-55 in females.[3]
The snake is nocturnal. In the daytime it hides under stones, or in holes. The snake appears from April and retreats into hibernation in November.[2] The many-banded krait usually feeds on other snakes (for example the water snake or even smaller members of its own species), as well as rodents, eels, frogs and occasionally lizards.[3]
This species is usually timid in nature, especially in the hours of daylight, but is more prone to bite at night-time if provoked or disturbed. Individuals often thrash wildly when caught.[2][3]
These snakes are oviparous. Females deposit 3 to 15 (maximum 20) eggs in around the month of June. Eggs usually hatch about 1 month and a half. Juveniles are usually 0.2—0.27 cm in length.[2]
The venom of the many-banded krait consists primarily of neurotoxins (known as α-bungarotoxins and β-bungarotoxins, among others). The average venom yield from specimens kept on snake farms is about 4.6 mg[1]—18.4 mg[2] per bite. The venom is highly toxic with LD50 values of 0.09 mg/kg[2]—0.108 mg/kg[4][5] SC, 0.113 mg/kg IV and 0.08 mg/kg IP in mice.[4][5] This is the fourth most venomous snake in the world (Ernst and Zug et al. 1996).[6]
The local symptoms of victims bitten by the Many-banded krait are usually neither serious swelling nor pain, the victims merely feel slightly itchy and numb. Systemic symptoms occur, in general, one to four hours after being bitten by this snake. Symptoms may include discomfort in the chest, general ache, weak feeling in limbs, ataxia, glossolysis, loss of voice, swallowing paralysis, tunnel vision, and difficult breathing. In case of serious bite, suppression of breathing may occur, leading to death.[2]
The untreated mortality rate caused by the bites of this species is reported to be at least 50%.[7] Even with antivenom treatment, the rate is 50%.[1]
In 2001 a snake of this species was responsible for the death of Joseph Bruno Slowinski.[8]
