The dangerously venomous Red-headed Krait (Bungarus flaviceps) is a strikingly patterned elapid snake occurring from southern Vietnam to the Malay Peninsula and on the islands of Sumatra, Nias, Bangka, Belitung, and Borneo. Two subspecies are currently recognized. Bungarus flaviceps baluensis was long considered to be endemic to Mount Kinabalu in northern Borneo but is now known to be more widely distributed on that island and may deserve recognition as a separate species. The nominate subspecies, Bungarus flaviceps flaviceps, occurs throughout the remainder of the range. The known vertical distribution of B. f baluensis extends from 1550 m to as low as 550 m;that of B. f flaviceps extends from sea level (near the coast of Perak, Malaysia) to around 600 m (in the Nakhon Si Thammarat Mountains, Thailand). The collection of a B.f. flaviceps specimen in Malaysia at around 1200 m elevation in 1997 suggests that the vertical distribution of some populations of B. f flaviceps may overlap that of B. f. baluensis (0-1200 m vs. 550- 1550 m, respectively). McGuire and Kuch (2005) suggested that collecting efforts would be needed to clarify the geographic and vertical distribution of these snakes in Borneo, where both forms may occur in parapatry or sympatry. (McGuire and Kuch 2005 and references therein)
The Red-headed Krait has a a striking appearance. Its body is mainly iridescent black or bluish black above (with enlarged vertebral scales forming a prominent vertebral ridge) and white below. The head and tail are red or orange, contrasting sharply with the body. Red-headed Kraits are nocturnal, feeding mainly on other snakes and skinks. They are terrestrial and oviparous. In Thailand, where the Red-headed Krait is one of three Bungarus species , Chanhome (2013) reported on the deposition and hatching of eggs from two wild-caught gravid females brought into captivity in 2000-2001. These females were fed weekly with live or frozen andthawed snakes, Enhydris enhydris and E. plumbea. The sizes of the three clutches produced were 4, 6, and 10 (the two larger clutches coming from the larger female). Chanhome provided details on incubation conditions incubation periods (for eggs that hatched, hatching occurred after 80-84 days), and egg and hatchling measurements. Although snake hatchlings typically feed for the first time after shedding (which occurred around a week after hatching for these newborns), these hatchlings could not be induced to eat and died. (Chanhome 2013)
Leviton et al. (2003) provide a technical description for this species: Dorsal scales in 13 longitudinal rows at midbody. Expanded neural crests of vertebrae form distinct ridge down back and tail; subcaudal scutes undivided, anteriorly those near the tip are divided. Ventrals: male 220-236, female 193-217; subcaudals: male 47-53, female 42-54. Black above, often with an orange-yellow dorsal stripe; interstitial skin orange-yellow, giving appearance of longitudinal stripes; head orange-yellow; tail and posterior part of body orange-yellow; belly orange or yellow, sometimes edged with brow. Total length 1850 mm (tail 220 mm).
In Myanmar, Red-headed Kraits are found in Tanintharyi Division. The species allso occurs in Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Vietnam, and western Indonesia. Although widely distributed in Malaysia, in Myanmar it has been recorded only from the extreme south, in the vicinity of Myeik (formerly Mergui) and Pyin Mountains. In Borneo and Thailand, this species is found mainly in forested areas from sea level to ~900 m elevation. In Sumatra, it has been reported to inhabit low-lying hills, with a preference for tropical wet forests. Red-headed Kraits, which are active at night, are generally found under leaf litter and beneath logs.(Leviton et al. 2003 and references therein)
The red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps) is a large venomous elapid snake with dramatic coloration. The red-headed krait can grow to a length of up to 2.1 metres (7 ft). It lives in lowland rain forest, including those on islands, but it is considered uncommon. It feeds primarily on specific snakes, probably semiaquatic and fossorial snakes. In Southeast Asia, the red-headed krait occurs in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South India and Indonesia (Sumatra), with a subspecies in Borneo. The venom potency is little-studied, as bites from this species are extremely rare.
The species presents a very striking and distinctive coloration – namely a bright red head and tail with a black body that includes a low-lateral narrow bluish white stripe.[4] Having large, smooth scales, the general appearance of the red-headed krait is glossy and attractive. Captives will generally refuse to strike until they have been subjected to prolonged teasing.[5] The average length of a red-headed krait is 4 to 5 feet (1.2 to 1.5 m), with a maximum of 7 feet (2.1 m).[6][7] They have short, hollow fangs on their maxillary bones, with inlets at the bases and outlets near their tips. The venom is ducted to the inlet and forced through the hole at the tip of the fang.[8] They are similar to another venomous snake, the blue Malayan coral snake (Calliophis bivirgata) and the nonvenomous red-headed reed snake (Calamaria schlegeli).
The red-headed krait occurs in southern Myanmar and Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Singapore, and a number of Malaysian (Pulau Tioman) and Indonesian islands (Bangka, Sumatra, Java, Belitung [=Billiton]).[3] The subspecies B. f. baluensis is found in Sabah (Borneo).[3]
Red-headed kraits inhabit the rain forests in mountainous and hilly regions. They are hardly ever to be found in proximity to human habitations.[7]
They are nocturnal and partially aquatic. Once thought to feed primarily on other snakes, they are known to include skinks, lizards, frogs, caecilians, small mammals, and snake eggs in their diets. Despite their intrinsic deadliness, they are not usually considered of high risk to humans in the daytime. Variously described as sluggish, lethargic, and extremely inoffensive, they often remain hidden during the day and, when disturbed, press their heads into the ground or hide them in the flattened or rolled coils of their bodies. During the night, they are active and extremely dangerous.[9]
The red-headed krait is an extremely venomous snake, although bites are reported rarely.[10] Krait venom appears to function primarily as a neurotoxin, preventing communication across neuromuscular synapses, causing paralysis and death by asphyxiation because the victims can no longer breathe on their own.[9] When the venom from the red-headed krait takes effect, the most highly innervated muscles are the first to suffer: the muscle that elevates the upper eyelid and the ocular and ciliary muscles controlling the lens. Between 20 minutes and several hours after being bitten, the victim may struggle to keep his or her eyelids open. This medical condition is known as bilateral ptosis and it is a classic, tell-tale sign of severe envenomation. Other common symptoms include diplopia, dysphagia, vomiting, headache, and hypersalivation. Sometime later the symptoms of paralysis tend to worsen, with progressive involvement of various muscles, including those of the jaws, in some cases, become locked. Respiratory distress may occur as a result of paralysis of the diaphragm, the main muscle controlling breathing.[8] Its venom also contains a novel postsynaptic neurotoxin, termed κ-flavitoxin, which is a potent inhibitor of nicotinic transmission in autonomic ganglia.[4] Neurotoxic symptoms may resolve naturally, or more rapidly through administration of antivenin or drugs that inactivate acetylcholinesterase, an enzyme which naturally destroys the chemical messenger carrying signals from nerves to muscles at the neuromuscular synapse.[8]
The red-headed krait (Bungarus flaviceps) is a large venomous elapid snake with dramatic coloration. The red-headed krait can grow to a length of up to 2.1 metres (7 ft). It lives in lowland rain forest, including those on islands, but it is considered uncommon. It feeds primarily on specific snakes, probably semiaquatic and fossorial snakes. In Southeast Asia, the red-headed krait occurs in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, South India and Indonesia (Sumatra), with a subspecies in Borneo. The venom potency is little-studied, as bites from this species are extremely rare.
