Little black krait
| Little black krait | ||||||||||||
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Little Black Krait ( Bungarus lividus ) |
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| Bungarus lividus | ||||||||||||
| Cantor , 1839 |
The Little Black Krait ( bungarus lividus ) is a poisonous snake from the family of poisonous snakes (Elapidae). The first description was made by the Danish zoologist Theodore Edward Cantor .
features
Bungarus lividus has a strong but slender body and reaches a total length between 65 and 110 cm. The tail is short. The head is flat and slightly separated from the neck. The eyes are relatively small and have round pupils. The back scales ( Scuta dorsalia ) are smooth and lie in 15 rows around the middle of the back. In contrast to other Bungarus species, the back scales along the spine of Bungarus lividus are not significantly enlarged and are similar in shape to the rest of the back scales. The body is monochrome dark brown to blackish on the upper side and shiny. The ventral side is cream-colored. As is typical for venomous snakes, the venom apparatus consists of venom glands located on the side of the skull (specialized salivary glands ) and fangs in the anterior upper jaw connected via a venom canal (proteroglyphic tooth position).
distribution
The distribution area includes regions in Bangladesh , Bhutan , China , India and Nepal . Settled habitats are represented by montane moist forests.
Way of life
Bungarus lividus leads a nocturnal, ground-dwelling and hidden way of life. When threatened, the body is often curled up and the head is hidden under the body loops. The snake only defends itself with poisonous bites if there is persistent human provocation. Possibly, like related Bungarus species, it behaves less sedate at night in distress. The range of prey includes primarily other snakes. Occasionally small mammals, lizards, frogs and fish are preyed on. The species reproduces through oviparity , i.e. laying eggs.
Snake venom
The toxic secretions of bungarus lividus characterized by presynaptic and postsynaptic effective neurotoxins and is extremely potent and to the human organism. After a poison bite, minor local symptoms occur at the bite site, unspecific general symptoms (e.g. dizziness, nausea, vomiting and headache) as well as paralysis and paralysis as the main symptom . Death can result from peripheral respiratory paralysis . No specific antivenin is available, but antivenins that are approved for intoxication by related species (e.g. 'SII Polyvalent Antisnake Venom Serum (lyophilized)' from the manufacturer Serum Institute of India Ltd. , India) can be used.
It can be assumed that there are regular bite accidents with Bungarus lividus . Individual deaths were documented. However, statistical information on this does not seem to be reliable due to frequent confusion with other venomous snakes.
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b c d University of Adelaide, Clinical Toxinology Resources: Bungarus lividus (accessed July 1, 2018)
- ↑ a b c Encyclopedia of Life: Bungarus lividus (accessed July 1, 2018)
- ↑ Bungarus lividus in The Reptile Database (accessed July 1, 2018)
literature
- Boulenger, GA 1890. The Fauna of British India, Including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia. Taylor & Francis. London. xviii, 541 pp.
- Cantor, TE 1839. Spicilegium serpentium indicorum [parts 1 and 2]. Proc. Zool. Soc. London 7: 31-34, 49-55.
- Slowinski, JB 1994. A phylogenetic analysis of Bungarus (Elapidae) based on morphological characters. Journal of Herpetology 28 (4): 440-446.
