Lesser black krait
Species of snake
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The lesser black krait (Bungarus lividus) is a species of venomous elapid snake found in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal.[2][3][4] The specific epithet is after Latin lividus, meaning "bluish metal-colored" or "lead-colored", referring to the snake's coloration.
| Lesser black krait | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Bungarus |
| Species: | B. lividus |
| Binomial name | |
| Bungarus lividus Cantor, 1839 | |
 | |
Description
The lesser black krait is a rather small snake. The body (dorsum) is smooth and black to bluish-black in colour. The upper lip is white. The ventrals are white with grey edges. The eyes are small, black with round pupils. Eyes are positioned more towards the snout. The scales are arranged in 15 dorsal rows (15:15:15). The mid-dorsal (vertebral) scales are only slightly enlarged than the other rows. Anal and subcaudal scales are undivided. 7 supralabials (3rd and 4th touches eye), 7 infralabials (3rd touches anterior genial); Temporals 1+2; Postocular 2.[5]
Distribution
India(North Bengal, Northeast India), Bangladesh, Nepal[6]
Type locality: Assam, India
Ecology
Feeding
The krait is primarily ophiophagous, meaning it preys on other snakes.
