Bungarus bungaroides

Bungarus bungaroides, the northeastern hill krait, is a venomous species of elapid snake.^[2]

Bungarus bungaroides
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Reptilia
Order:	Squamata
Suborder:	Serpentes
Family:	Elapidae
Genus:	Bungarus
Species:	B. bungaroides
Binomial name
Bungarus bungaroides (Cantor, 1839)
Synonyms
Elaps bungaroides Cantor, 1839 Xenurelaps bungaroides – Günther, 1864 Bungarus bungaroides – Boulenger, 1890

Description

This is a moderate- to large sized krait. Diagnostic characters:

• Dorsal scales in 15 longitudinal rows at midbody. Mid-dorsal scales are slightly enlarged anteriorly, but distinctly enlarged posteriorly.
• Subcaudal scutes ordinarily divided anteriorly, but occasionally some scutes may be single, but always divided near the tip
• Ventrals 220–237; subcaudals 44-51
• Dorsum – smooth, black with a series of very narrow white to pale yellowish lines or crossbars; on the belly, the light crossbars widen to form distinct transverse bars
• head slightly distinct from the neck. Top of the head is flat. Snout is blunt.
• Total length of largest male 1400 mm (55 in); tail length 160 mm (6.3 in)

Distribution and habitat

This species is found in Myanmar, India (Assam, Cachar, Sikkim), Nepal, and Vietnam at elevations around 2040 m as well as in Tibet. The type locality is given as: "Cherra Punjee, Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India".^[3][4]