Discover the Largest Banded Snake Ever Recorded

There are currently 18 to 19 families of snakes with approximately 2,950 different species. With so many snakes, both on land and in the sea, there is a wide variety of colors and sizes. In the Elapidae family alone, there are 300 different species of snakes. Those who fall into this group are the venomous banded snakes. These snakes’ habitats vary as much as their food preferences. Even the lengths of these snakes differ markedly from one another. But it is the banded krait that has taken the title of the longest banded snake, striking fear into the hearts of those who share space with it, given just how venomous these snakes are.

The Banded Krait Is the Largest Banded Snake Ever Recorded

Banded kraits are not small snakes. Among kraits, they are the longest. In general, the banded kraits are approximately 11.8 inches at birth. By the time they reach maturity at two to three years of age, they are at their maximum length of 3.9 feet to 5.9 feet long. Females are larger than males, sometimes by more than two feet.

The largest of the banded kraits is said to be between 7.5 feet long and 8 feet 10 inches long. However, when this particularly large banded krait was discovered is subject to debate. Consequently, it is not known who discovered the massive banded krait or when. Besides their size, banded kraits are easily identified by their yellow and black alternating bands of color that are symmetrical. They also have yellow coloring alone that goes from their nostrils to their eyes. Additionally, the banded kraits have “enlarged middorsal rows of scales” that further distinguish them from similar-looking snakes throughout Southeast Asia.

The Banded Krait Is An Extremely Poisonous Snake

During the Vietnam War, American soldiers encountered a venomous snake known to them as the “Two-step Snake.” The snake was given this name as it was said that if a person was bitten, they would die after only taking two steps. The two-step snake was the banded krait. The banded krait is a venomous snake. While their bites, if left untreated, have a high mortality rate, it takes more than a few seconds for the venom to become fatal. Instead, those bitten generally have hours to seek antivenom before the bite becomes deadly. The venom of the banded krait is highly toxic. The venom directly attacks the nervous system and begins the process of shutting the body systems down. When this happens, there are distinct symptoms indicating a banded krait bite. Those symptoms include:

• Bleeding

• Dizziness

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Paralysis

While it is not evident to the person who has been bitten, the kidneys begin to shut down as well. It is recommended to seek treatment as soon as possible if bitten by a banded krait. This is because the sooner the antivenom is administered, the quicker the recovery. Recovery times have been noted anywhere from 30 minutes after the antivenom was received to one to seven days post-treatment.

What is interesting is that the likelihood of being bitten by a banded krait during the day is slim. This is because the snake prefers to be sedentary during daylight hours, exhibiting more nocturnal tendencies. Consequently, it is far more common to be bitten by a banded krait if sleeping on the floor or without an insect net. The bite does not occur from the banded krait biting indiscriminately. Instead, bites usually happen when a banded krait is accidentally rolled on, which triggers it to bite.

The Primary Diet of the Banded Krait Is Other Snakes

Most snakes are known for eating animals other than snakes. When snakes eat other snakes, it is called ophiophagy, and it tends to occur when food is scarce, when snakes try to eliminate competition, or even due to mistaken identity. For the banded krait, eating other snakes is a calculated decision. It is also the preferred diet of these snakes. It does not matter if the snake is venomous or not. If a banded krait is hungry, it will strike. Consequently, the venom, which takes hours to begin to shut down the body systems of humans or larger animals, is instantly fatal for snakes. If snakes are not available, the banded krait will look for other sources of food. The alternative dietary choices for banded kraits include:

• Fish

• Frogs

• Skinks

• Snake eggs

Banded kraits have a variety of options when it comes to their diet. However, they will not hesitate to eat their own if another unsuspecting banded krait crosses their path. Banded kraits are not selective when it comes to snakes, choosing any species over other options when possible.

Snakes That Are Often Confused for the Banded Krait

The banded krait has distinctive black and yellow banding. This is how many people from northeast India to Indonesia can identify it as a venomous snake if they encounter it in the wild. However, the banded krait is not the only yellow-and-black banded snake found in these regions. While other black and yellow snakes are venomous, some are harmless but still receive a bad reputation due to their appearance. Some of the snakes that are often confused with the banded krait include:

It pays to be leery of black and yellow-banded snakes in Thailand, given that the majority are venomous. But like all wild animals, as long as these snakes are given a wide berth, they are not going to go out of their way to encounter people. This is especially true for the banded krait, a notoriously shy snake that would prefer to attack another snake for a meal rather than use its venom on a human when feeling threatened.

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