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A rare krait species has been discovered in Bihar. With near-invisible fangs and deadly venom, its bite is silent and often fatal within minutes.
Found mainly in the Himalayan foothills and hilly regions, the Wall’s Krait is known for its shiny, striped skin, pale brown-and-yellow underbelly, and nocturnal hunting habits. (Local18)
On September 21, 2024, a snake species previously unrecorded in Bihar was discovered and rescued in Patna. Abhishek, the Project Manager at Nature Environment and Wildlife Society (NEWS), identified the species as Wall’s Krait (Bungarus walli), an extraordinary and highly venomous snake.
Prior to this, only two species of krait, the Common Krait and the Banded Krait, had been documented in Bihar, including in the West Champaran region. With this recent finding, the number of krait species recorded in the state now stands at three.
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An Expert’s Encounter With The Unfamiliar
Abhishek, who has over 30 years of experience working with wildlife, currently leads projects in Valmiki Tiger Reserve in Bihar’s West Champaran district and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh. Over the years, he has encountered many species of snakes, including India’s notorious ‘Big Four’ venomous snakes and the King Cobra, the world’s longest venomous snake.
Despite Valmiki Tiger Reserve being rich in snake diversity, only two krait species had been recorded until now. The rescue and identification of Wall’s Krait marks a significant addition to Bihar’s herpetofaunal records.
A Lethal And Elusive Species
Wall’s Krait was first documented in 1907 by Colonel Frank Wall, who identified three specimens in Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, leading to its scientific naming. This snake is both elusive and dangerous. It possesses neurotoxic venom that can rapidly be fatal to humans.
Found primarily in the Himalayan foothills and hilly terrain, the Wall’s Krait usually measures between four-and-a-half to five feet in length. It is distinguished by its shiny, striped skin, light brown and yellow underbelly, and nocturnal hunting behaviour.
Silent Killers: Why Wall’s Krait Is So Dangerous
Unlike other venomous snakes, Wall’s Kraits are rarely encountered, making human bite cases uncommon. However, what makes them particularly dangerous is their needle-thin fangs, which can bite without being noticed. Victims often do not feel pain and may die from nervous system failure, sometimes in their sleep.
Their venom is considered to be even more potent than the Common Krait’s. Wall’s Kraits reproduce between March and May, laying up to 22 eggs at a time.
A Significant Milestone For Bihar’s Biodiversity
This new sighting contributes meaningfully to our understanding of Bihar’s snake population. Experts like Abhishek continue to emphasise the importance of conservation and awareness, especially in ecologically rich regions like Valmiki Tiger Reserve.
The discovery of Wall’s Krait serves as a reminder of the diverse and still-underexplored wildlife inhabiting India’s forests and urban landscapes.
- Location :
Bihar, India, India
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