Bungarus fasciatus Natural history Kraits, genus bungarus
- THOMPSON M,
Twelve species are recognised; all inhabit the region the region of SouthEast Asia. Occasional individuals of B. fasciatus attain lengths of 7 feet. Most species are of moderate (4 to 5 feet) length, but all are considered extremely dangerous.
Maxillary teeth: Two large tubular fangs with external grooves followed, after an interspace, by 1-4 small, feebly-grooved teeth.
The main krait (of Hindhi origin) has been associated by English speaking peoples with a small venomous Indian snake. Actually there are several species of kraits and none of them are small; in fact, two reach lengths of about 7 feet. Kraits resemble many nonpoisonous snakes in general appearance. They have short rather flat heads only slightly wider than the neck. The eyes are small and dark, the pupils almost invisible in life. They are smooth scaled and glossy; most have vivid pattern of crossbands. Three features of scutellation help distinguish kraits from other Asian snakes - a combination of all is diagnostic.
1. The vertebral row of scales is strongly enlarged, except in one rare species.
2. At least some of the subcaudals are undivided; in most species all are undivided.
3. The loral shield is absent.
Kraits are strongly nocturnal, and their alert disposition by night differs from their quiet, almost stupid behavior by day. They cause few snakebites but the case fatality rate is very high.
Kraits lay eggs that are attended by the female. Their food consists largely of other snakes.
Banded krait; bungarus fasciatus (schneider)
Identification: A marked vertebral ridge giving a permanently emaciated appearance, and a distinctly blunt tail characteristic of this species.
Pattern of alternating light and dark bands encircling the body and of almost equal width. The light bands are usually bright yellow, occasionally white, pale brown or orange; the dark bands are black.
Average length 4 to 5 feet; maximum about 7 feet.
Distribution: Eastern India to southern China and south through much of Malaysia and Indonesia. Occurs in rather open country to elevations of about 5,000 feet, often found near water.
Remarks: This is such a surprisingly quiet, inoffensive snake that it is believed harmless over much of the territory where it is found. When annoyed it curls up, hides its head beneath its coils, and makes jerky flinching movements but does not bite except in rare instances. Cases of snakebite due to the banded krait are almost unknown. Its venom is of lower toxicity than that of some other kraits.
Homoeopathic name and abbreviation: Bungarus fasciatus; Bung-f.
Common names: Banded krait
Description:
Distribution: South-East Asia
Range: Centyral and northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, southern China, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan).
Venom:
Authority: Schneider, 1801.
Comments: Kraits only bite at night; and also only hunt at night eating mostly other snakes including venomous ones.
This venom produces a condition like an acute polioencephalitis and myelitis, both symptomatically and histologically.
Materia medica
Jayesh Shah p. 36 Homeopathic Links 3/94:
Bungarus fasciatus is a very open, frank unrefined remedy but despite the openness, it is not fickle; it is sharp, paroxysmal.
Twelve species are recognised; all inhabit the region the region of SouthEast Asia. Occasional individuals of B. fasciatus attain lengths of 7 feet. Most species are of moderate (4 to 5 feet) length, but all are considered extremely dangerous.
Maxillary teeth: Two large tubular fangs with external grooves followed, after an interspace, by 1-4 small, feebly-grooved teeth.
The main krait (of Hindhi origin) has been associated by English speaking peoples with a small venomous Indian snake. Actually there are several species of kraits and none of them are small; in fact, two reach lengths of about 7 feet. Kraits resemble many nonpoisonous snakes in general appearance. They have short rather flat heads only slightly wider than the neck. The eyes are small and dark, the pupils almost invisible in life. They are smooth scaled and glossy; most have vivid pattern of crossbands. Three features of scutellation help distinguish kraits from other Asian snakes - a combination of all is diagnostic.
1. The vertebral row of scales is strongly enlarged, except in one rare species.
2. At least some of the subcaudals are undivided; in most species all are undivided.
3. The loral shield is absent.
Kraits are strongly nocturnal, and their alert disposition by night differs from their quiet, almost stupid behavior by day. They cause few snakebites but the case fatality rate is very high.
Kraits lay eggs that are attended by the female. Their food consists largely of other snakes.
Banded krait; bungarus fasciatus (schneider)
Identification: A marked vertebral ridge giving a permanently emaciated appearance, and a distinctly blunt tail characteristic of this species.
Pattern of alternating light and dark bands encircling the body and of almost equal width. The light bands are usually bright yellow, occasionally white, pale brown or orange; the dark bands are black.
Average length 4 to 5 feet; maximum about 7 feet.
Distribution: Eastern India to southern China and south through much of Malaysia and Indonesia. Occurs in rather open country to elevations of about 5,000 feet, often found near water.
Remarks: This is such a surprisingly quiet, inoffensive snake that it is believed harmless over much of the territory where it is found. When annoyed it curls up, hides its head beneath its coils, and makes jerky flinching movements but does not bite except in rare instances. Cases of snakebite due to the banded krait are almost unknown. Its venom is of lower toxicity than that of some other kraits.
Homoeopathic name and abbreviation: Bungarus fasciatus; Bung-f.
Common names: Banded krait
Description:
Distribution: South-East Asia
Range: Centyral and northeastern India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, southern China, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java and Kalimantan).
Venom:
Authority: Schneider, 1801.
Comments: Kraits only bite at night; and also only hunt at night eating mostly other snakes including venomous ones.
This venom produces a condition like an acute polioencephalitis and myelitis, both symptomatically and histologically.
Materia medica
Jayesh Shah p. 36 Homeopathic Links 3/94:
Bungarus fasciatus is a very open, frank unrefined remedy but despite the openness, it is not fickle; it is sharp, paroxysmal.
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