Thai National Parks

Species of Thailand

Blue krait

Bungarus candidus

(Carolus Linnaeus, 1758)

In Thai: งูทับสมิงคลา, ngu thap saming khlaa

Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait or blue krait, is a highly venomous species of snake. The blue krait is a member of the genus Bungarus and the family Elapidae.

Description

The Malayan krait may attain a total length of 108 cm, with a tail 16 cm long.

Dorsally, it has a pattern of 27–34 dark-brown, black, or bluish-black crossbands on the body and tail, which are narrowed and rounded on the sides. The first crossband is continuous with the dark color of the head. The dark crossbands are separated by broad, yellowish-white interspaces, which may be spotted with black. Ventrally, it is uniformly white.

An unbanded black phenotype also occurs in some populations, reportedly in West and Central Java.

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows, with the vertebral row much enlarged. The ventrals number 195–237; the anal plate is entire; and the single (undivided) subcaudals are 37–56 in number.

Distribution and habitat

It is found in Southeast Asia from Indochina south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.

Venom

In mice, the intravenous for this species is 0.1 mg/kg. Its mortality rate is 60–70% in untreated humans. The amount of venom injected is 5 mg, while the lethal dose for a 75kg human is 1 mg

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Site notes

Currently B. wanghaotingi and B. candidus are morphologically indistinguishable. Hopefully a future phylogenetic study will clear it up, but it is not unlikely that there is simply no clear black and white way to ID these species in the field. The data we have collected for the range map is for the complex.

Scientific classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Subphylum
Vertebrata
Class
Reptilia
Order
Squamata
Suborder
Serpentes
Family
Elapidae
Genus
Bungarus
Species
Bungarus candidus

Common names

  • German: Blauer Krait
  • English: Blue krait
  • Thai:
    • งูทับสมิงคลา, ngu thap saming khlaa
    • งูปล้องเงิน (ใต้), ngu phong ngern (South Thailand)
    • งูทับทางขาว (อีสาน), ngu thap thaang khao (Isaan)
    • งูทำทาน (อีสาน), ngu tham thaan (Isaan)

Synonyms

  • Bungarus candidus, Ze-Ning Chen et al. (2021)
  • Bungarus candidus, Van Stanley Bartholomew Wallach et al. (2014)
  • Bungarus candidus, Livigni (2013)
  • Bungarus candidus, Nguyen Van Sang et al. (2009)
  • Bungarus candidus, Merel J. Cox et al. (1998)
  • Bungarus candidus, Ulrich Manthey & Wolfgang Grossmann (1997)
  • Bungarus javanicus, Ulrich Kuch (1996)
  • Bungarus javanicus, Kenneth Welsh (1994)
  • Bungarus candidus, Kenneth Welsh (1994)
  • Bungarus candidus, Malcolm Arthur Smith (1943)

Conservation status

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Least Concern (IUCN3.1)

Photos

Please help us review our species pages if wrong photos are used or any other details in the page is wrong. We can be reached via our contact us page.

Bungarus candidus - Ko Adang, Mu Ko Tarutao National Park
Bungarus candidus - Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park
Bungarus candidus - Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park
Bungarus candidus - Kaeng Krachan National Park
Bungarus candidus - Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi
Bungarus candidus - Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
Blue krait - Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi
Bungarus candidus - Khao Sok National Park (rare striped morph)

Copyright Khao Sok Snakes

Bungarus candidus - Khao Sok National Park (rare striped morph)

Range Map

Distribution map of Blue krait, Bungarus candidus in Thailand
  • Bamnet Narong District, Chaiyaphum
  • Ban Hong District, Lamphun
  • Ban Khok District, Uttaradit
  • Ban Mi District, Lopburi
  • Ban Na San District, Surat Thani
  • Bang Lamung District, Chonburi
  • Bang Lang National Park
  • Betong District, Yala
  • Bo Phloi District, Kanchanaburi
  • Bueng Sam Phan District, Phetchabun
  • Cha-Am District, Phetchaburi
  • Chai Badan District, Lopburi
  • Chai Prakan District, Chiang Mai
  • Chaloem Phra Kiat District, Saraburi
  • Chana District, Songkhla
  • Chiang Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Chom Bueng District, Ratchaburi
  • Chuen Chom District, Maha Sarakham
  • Dan Chang District, Suphan Buri
  • Dan Khun Thot District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Doi Phu Kha National Park
  • Erawan National Park
  • Hala-Bala Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Hankha District, Chainat
  • Hua Hin District, Prachuap Khiri Khan
  • Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Kabang District, Yala
  • Kaeng Hang Maeo District, Chanthaburi
  • Kaeng Khoi District, Saraburi
  • Kaeng Khro District, Chaiyaphum
  • Kaeng Krachan District, Phetchaburi
  • Kaeng Krachan National Park
  • Kaeng Tana National Park
  • Kathu District, Phuket
  • Kham Ta Kla District, Sakon Nakhon
  • Khanu Woralaksaburi District, Kamphaeng Phet
  • Khao Banthat Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Chamao - Khao Wong National Park
  • Khao Chong
  • Khao Kho District, Phetchabun
  • Khao Luang National Park
  • Khao Nan National Park
  • Khao Phra Thaeo Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park
  • Khao Soi Dao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Khao Sok National Park
  • Khao Suan Kwang District, Khon Kaen
  • Khao Yai Da
  • Khao Yai National Park
  • Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo
  • Khlung District, Chanthaburi
  • Khok Pho District, Pattani
  • Khon Buri District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Khong Chiam District, Ubon Ratchathani
  • Khun Han District, Sisaket
  • Klaeng District, Rayong
  • Ko Adang
  • Ko Chan District, Chonburi
  • Ko Kut District, Trat
  • Ko Lanta District, Krabi
  • Ko Samui District, Surat Thani
  • Ku Kaeo District, Udon Thani
  • Lam Plai Mat District, Buriram
  • Mae Chaem District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Fa Luang District, Chiang Rai
  • Mae On District, Chiang Mai
  • Mae Sot District, Tak
  • Makham District, Chanthaburi
  • Muak Lek District, Saraburi
  • Mueang Buriram District, Buriram
  • Mueang Chaiyaphum District, Chaiyaphum
  • Mueang Kanchanaburi District, Kanchanaburi
  • Mueang Khon Kaen District, Khon Kaen
  • Mueang Krabi District, Krabi
  • Mueang Loei District, Loei
  • Mueang Lopburi District, Lopburi
  • Mueang Mukdahan District, Mukdahan
  • Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Mueang Phang Nga District, Phang Nga
  • Mueang Rayong District, Rayong
  • Mueang Satun District, Satun
  • Mueang Surin District, Surin
  • Mueang Trang District, Trang
  • Mueang Trat District, Trat
  • Na Thawi District, Songkhla
  • Na Wang District, Nong Bua Lamphu
  • Na Yai Am District, Chanthaburi
  • Nam Nao National Park
  • Namtok Phlio National Park
  • Nang Rong District, Buriram
  • Nong Kung Si District, Kalasin
  • Nong Muang District, Lopburi
  • Nong Phok District, Roi Et
  • Nong Ruea District, Khon Kaen
  • Nopphitam District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Pa Sang District, Lamphun
  • Pak Chom District, Loei
  • Pak Chong District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Pang Sida National Park
  • Pathum Rat District, Roi Et
  • Phanom District, Surat Thani
  • Phato District, Chumphon
  • Phayuha Khiri District, Nakhon Sawan
  • Phra Thong Kham District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Phra Yuen District, Khon Kaen
  • Phu Khiao District, Chaiyaphum
  • Phu Khiao Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Luang Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Si Than Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Phu Wua Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi
  • Ratsada District, Trang
  • Rattanaburi District, Surin
  • Ron Phibun District, Nakhon Si Thammarat
  • Sadao District, Songkhla
  • Sai Yok District, Kanchanaburi
  • Sai Yok National Park
  • Sakaerat Environmental Research Station
  • Sakhrai District, Nong Khai
  • Sanom District, Surin
  • Si Chomphu District, Khon Kaen
  • Si Racha District, Chonburi
  • Si Songkhram District, Nakhon Phanom
  • Si That District, Udon Thani
  • Sikao District, Trang
  • Sikhio District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Sirindhorn District, Ubon Ratchathani
  • Soeng Sang District, Nakhon Ratchasima
  • Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi
  • Somdet District, Kalasin
  • Sop Moei District, Mae Hong Son
  • Tarutao National Marine Park
  • Tha Mai District, Chanthaburi
  • Tha Takiap District, Chachoengsao
  • Tha Yang District, Phetchaburi
  • Thong Pha Phum District, Kanchanaburi
  • Thung Salaeng Luang National Park
  • Thung Yai Naresuan Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Umphang District, Tak
  • Waeng District, Narathiwat
  • Wang Chan District, Rayong
  • Wang Chao District, Tak
  • Wang Nam Yen District, Sa Kaeo
  • Wanon Niwat District, Sakon Nakhon
  • Waritchaphum District, Sakon Nakhon
  • Watthana Nakhon District, Sa Kaeo
  • Yang Talat District, Kalasin
  • Yod Dom Wildlife Sanctuary
Range map of Bungarus candidus in Thailand