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Bungarus sindanus

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Species of snake

Bungarus sindanus
Conservation status

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Bungarus
Species: B. sindanus
Binomial name
Bungarus sindanus
Boulenger, 1897
Synonyms
  • Bungarus caeruleus sindanus Boulenger, 1897
  • Bungarus caeruleus sindanus
    — Klemmer, 1963

Bungarus sindanus, the Sind krait, is a species of krait, a venomous elapid snake found in northwestern India, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. Two subspecies are recognized. It can be confused with the common krait.

Description

The Sind krait is generally 1 m (3 ft) with some specimens as long as 1.8 m (6 ft). Their most visible feature is their narrow white bands, though the bands can be either yellow or grey depending on the color variation. The young have white spots on one-third of their body instead of bands (which develop at maturity). They have an egg-shaped head with a short snout, small eyes, upper lips either yellow or white and pointed tip tail. Dorsal scales are smooth and glossy with the vertebral row enlarged and hexagonal. Dorsal scale count 19 ( 21 ) - 17 ( 19 ) - 17.

Behavior

Sind kraits are primarily nocturnal, and often (unintentionally) cross paths with humans and domestic animals. Usually, people who are bitten simply don't see the animal; its camouflage, colouring and temporarily remaining still are generally enough to protect it, lest it be so effective that they are accidentally stepped on. This is when the krait reacts in a scared manner, striking. Other instances involve a krait inadvertently showing itself, causing people to overreact. When they attempt to scare or kill the krait, they end up being bitten.

Distribution and habitat

B. sindanus is found northwestern India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. Within India, specifically, it has been recorded in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Punjab, and Rajasthan.

The overall geographic ranges of the subspecies are:

  • Bungarus sindanus razai Khan, 1985 – northern Pakistan.
  • Bungarus sindanus sindanus Boulenger, 1897 – southern Pakistan, adjacent India. Type locality: Sindh, West Pakistan.

Bungarus sindanus walli Wall, 1907 is now recognized as Bungarus walli Wall, 1907.

Etymology

It is known as the Sindh or Sind krait after being originally discovered in the Sindh province, Pakistan.

References

  1. ^ Srinivasulu, C.; Thakur, S.; Mohapatra, P.; Das, A.; Vyas, R.; Papenfuss, T. (2021). "Bungarus sindanus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2021: e.T172631A1355794. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T172631A1355794.en. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  2. ^ Bungarus sindanus at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Snakes of Pakistan: Common Krait, Sindhi Krait, Northern Punjab Krait". Wildlifeofpakistan.com. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  4. "About SHE". She-india.org. Retrieved 13 November 2017.
  5. Bungarus walli at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 8 August 2023.

Further reading

  • Boulenger GA (1897). "A new krait from Sind (Bungarus sindanus)". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 11: 73–74.
  • Kuch, Ulrich (2004). Bungarus sindanus Boulenger, 1897, an addition to the venomous snake fauna of Afghanistan". Herpetozoa 16 (3/4): 171–173.
  • Vyas, Raju (1998). "Unusual marking pattern in krait Bungarus sindanus ". Cobra 32: 34–35.
  • Wall F (1907). "A new krait from Oudh (Bungarus walli)". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 17: 155–157.
Taxon identifiers
Bungarus sindanus


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