Bungarus candidus – Malayan Krait

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) foraging

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) foraging near a puddle in Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi, Thailand

The Bungarus candidus commonly known as Malayan Krait or Blue Krait, is one of the most common species of Kraits in Thailand. It occurs in a wide variety of habitats and is found from low to high elevations. There seem to be some minor differences between populations in different parts of the country, who knows this could one day be considered a complex of species…
We have encountered this species in humid evergreen forest, but also in arid conditions on sandy soil.
Like all kraits, the Bungarus candidus is highly venomous and should therefore be approached with care.

Juvenile Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) head close up
Juvenile Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) head close up

facts

Dangerous? Yes, very dangerous, deadly; fixed front-fanged, very potent venom; Receiving a bite however is very unlikely unless you try to handle it. Be reminded that the neurotoxic venom will not hurt, so do not be mislead believing it might have been a dry bite!
Venom Neurotoxins
Length 1.10m – 1.60m
Diet Primarily snakes, but also feeds on other prey like lizards, frogs and rodents
How easy to find Widespread, but encounters are uncommon.
Best time of year Wet season is the preferred time
Best time of day Mostly night time, sometimes late afternoon
Threats Most likely no major threat, but if at all it is likely habitat loss.
Notes: N/A
Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus)

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) exploring its surroundings with its tongue in Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi, Thailand

Description

In Thailand the Malayan Krait, Bungarus candidus is virtually always banded, black and white. All black specimens might occur though seem to be extremely rare in Thailand.
Northern specimens tend to have thinner white bands than the Eastern or Southern/ Western specimens in which the white bands are generally wider. Most of the time the white bands have little black specks.
Take extreme care when identifying black-and-white banded snakes, as even various professional herpetologists have made huge mistakes (in some case even a fatal mistake!). Do not free-handle any black-and-white-banded snake until you are 200% sure it is one of the harmless species.
Kraits are known to be docile in daytime, and some people therefore consider it to be ‘safe’ to free-handle these snakes in daylight. Not the smartest move in our opinion… Be careful because the venom of these snakes is very potent.

Bungarus candidus from West Thailand

Bungarus candidus, Malayan Krait from West Thailand

Similar-looking species

Vertebral scales of Bungarus candidus

Enlarged vertebral scales (highlighted in orange) of Bungarus candidus, Malayan Krait. The other dorsal scales highlighted in green are much smaller and differently shaped.

Malayan Banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus) scales

Malayan Banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus) dorsal scales highlighted in green. No enlarged vertebral scales like the venomous kraits it resembles.

There are various species that resemble the Bungarus candidus. The easiest way to tell it’s a krait is by the significantly enlarged vertebral scales, the single middle row of scales. Still, be careful, especially in younger specimens this might not always be as clearly visible.
I won’t mention all black-and-white banded snakes here, various wolf snakes, as well as the bridle snakes could be confused with kraits. The bridle snakes have a much longer and slender appearance than the Malayan Krait, but the wolf snakes are very similar in built. I will mention the one of the best mimics, plus some other species including the other black and white Thai krait that could be confused with the Bungarus candidus.

Comparison: 1.) juvenile Malayan Banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus), harmless versus 2.) juvenile Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus), highly venomous
Comparison: 1.) juvenile Malayan Banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus), harmless versus 2.) juvenile Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus), highly venomous
  • Lycodon subcinctus – White-banded Wolf Snake
    White-banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus)

    White-banded Wolf Snake (Lycodon subcinctus), one of the best Malayan Krait-mimicking species, easiest to keep apart by the lack of enlarged scales on the dorsal ridge.

    This species is harmless and is one of the best Bungarus candidus mimics of all wolf snakes. There is some variation within this species, possibly it is a complex of species, and apart from the fact these wolf snakes do not have the enlarged vertebral scale row found in kraits, there is hardly any difference at all, even less so when comparing juveniles of this species with juveniles of the Malayan Krait.
  • Bungarus multicinctus – Many-banded Krait
    Many-banded Krait - Bungarus cf. multicinctus

    Many-banded Krait – Bungarus cf. multicinctus

    The Many-banded Krait is similarly black and white banded as the Bungarus candidus. But the bands are thinner and much higher in total number, should be generally over 40 total count. Also the black actually tends more towards deep dark brown, and the white bands are clean without the black specks that are usually found in the white banding of the B. candidus.
  • Bungarus fasciatus – Banded Krait
    Banded Krait - Bungarus fasciatus

    Banded Krait – Bungarus fasciatus

    The Banded Krait is in most cases easy to distinquish from the Bungarus candidus simply by color. The Bungarus fasciatus usually has black and yellow bands. However in some cases this species can be similarly black and white. However other ways to distinquish this species is first of all by the stump tail whereas the Malayan Krait has a long and tapered tail. Also, in general the triangular body shape is much more pronounced in the Banded Krait than in the Malayan Krait. And the head of the Banded Krait is a bit more distinct from the body than in the Malayan Krait.
  • Lycodon davisonii – Davison’s Bridle Snake
    Lycodon davisonii from Ranong

    Lycodon davisonii from Ranong

    This species is harmless, but might be confused with the Malayan Krait, Bungarus candidus, because of its similar black and white banding. However this species is much more slender, the white bands are thin, and become more reticulated towards the tail. Also this species has no enlarged scale row on the vertebral ridge, unlike the krait.

Behaviour

These snakes are nocturnal and primarily terrestrial, though there have been records of them climbing trees. They are active hunters that will move around at night in search of prey, mostly other snakes.
Interesting behaviour in all the krait species is that once ‘under attack’ (when you get too close) they will hide their heads under the coils of their body and the muscles seem to be very tight. If bothered it might make short powerful moves and then freeze in a new position. In most cases there is no attempt of biting, but obviously care should be taken!

Terrestrial habits of the Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus)

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) are mainly terrestrial, though have been recorded climbing trees.

Range & habitat

As mentioned earlier, the range of the Malayan Krait, also known as the Blue Krait is widespread throughout all of Thailand. And habitat type varies a lot from moist primary evergreen forests to dry deciduous shrubby areas with sandy soil.
Waterways and rocky areas seem to be amongst their prefered habitats, though not exclusively.

Taxonomy

There is a bit of variation between the Northern, Eastern and South/ Western populations of the Bungarus candidus. Maybe this might proof in the future to be enough ground for splitting the species into multiple species.

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus)

Malayan Krait (Bungarus candidus) typically hiding its head under its body in Kaeng Krachan district, Phetchaburi, Thailand

How to find this species in Thailand?

Since the Bungarus candidus is a nocturnal species, the best time to look for them is at night 😉
And because kraits are primarily snake eaters one can guess that their population density is likely to be lower than most other snakes species. In other words, it’s not a species you will encounter everyday. One of the reasons it is high on the list for most herpers that visit Thailand. My experience is that they are most active in the wet months of the year, and searching near waterways and rocky areas seems to increase your chances. They are not the best camouflaged snake species in Thailand, so you might not need skilled/ trained herping eyes. It’s generally just a matter of time and luck to come across one. Once you do cross paths, it is usually hard to miss.

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