Common krait
| Common krait | ||||||||||||
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Common krait |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Bungarus caeruleus | ||||||||||||
| ( Schneider , 1801) |
The Common Krait ( bungarus caeruleus ), also known as Indian Krait called, is a poisonous snake from the family of poisonous snakes and belongs to the genre of Kraits . Bungarus caeruleus is the type species of the genus Bungarus and was scientifically described for the first time in 1801 by the German naturalist Johann Gottlob Schneider .
features
The common krait reaches a length of 100 to 120 cm, rarely more than 150 cm. The body, which is triangular to oval in cross-section, is slim, but still strong. Towards the middle of the back, the body tapers less than other Bungarus species. The head is short, flat and hardly separates from the neck. The moderately large eye has a round pupil . The lip shields are white. There are six shields of the lower lip ( scutum sublabiale ) and seven shields of the upper lip ( scutum supralabiale ). The third and fourth lower lip shields touch the lower edge of the eye. Body bottom hand, show up at Pakistani populations 202-213 abdominal shields ( ventral scales ) and 40 to 55 under tail shields ( subcaudal scales ), in Indian populations 194-234 abdominal shields and 42 to 52 under tail shields. The top of the body is covered by 15 to 17 rows of smooth scales. Head and body have a glossy blue-black basic color. There are 40 to 46 white cross bars along the body. These become more noticeable towards the tail and can fade on the front body in older animals. The belly side is plain white. In young animals, a white spot can be seen in front of and behind the eye.
Like all Venomari has Bungarus coeruleus to venom glands reformed salivary glands , which via a channel with poison in the front upper jaw located, non-movable fangs are connected (proteroglyphe tooth position).
toxicology
The toxin mixture of Bungarus caeruleus mainly contains neurotoxic polypeptides , which are collectively referred to as bungarotoxins (α-, β-, γ- and κ-bungarotoxins) and develop their effect in the peripheral nervous system . α-Bungarotoxin (a three-finger toxin ) has a high affinity for the postsynaptic acetylcholine receptors of the motor endplate and, as an antagonist, blocks them almost irreversibly. β-Bungarotoxins , a group of different polypeptides with phospholipase A2 activity, act by presynaptic inhibition of the release of acetylcholine into the synaptic cleft (motor endplate). The effect occurs with a time delay in relation to α- and κ-bungarotoxins.
One poison bite can release 8 to 20 mg of poison (dry weight). If left untreated, 70 to 80 percent of poisoning cases are fatal. After a bite in humans, non-specific general symptoms (e.g. headache , nausea , vomiting , abdominal pain , diarrhea , dizziness , shock , cramps ) can occur. The neurotoxins cause progressive paralysis, which is initially noticeable as ptosis and can lead to complete paralysis . Death occurs through respiratory paralysis . Those affected may need artificial respiration . Effective antivenins are also available for therapy .
Way of life
The common krait leads a nocturnal way of life, especially on damp and rainy nights, it actively searches for food. The prey spectrum of the species primarily includes other snakes. Occasionally lizards , amphibians, and bony fish or small mammals are eaten. The propagation is done by oviparity , the species is so oviparous. The clutch contains 6 to 10 eggs. The young snakes measure 26 to 28 cm when hatching.
habitat
Bungarus caeruleus occurs at altitudes of up to 1800 m above sea level . The inhabited habitats are forests, thickets, fields and open plains. The respective biotopes are mostly moist and are characterized by their proximity to water. Tree roots, dead wood, holes in the ground or termite mounds serve as hiding places . Bungarus caeruleus is a common snake species that is not afraid of being close to humans. Occasionally it invades human dwellings.
Distribution area
The distribution area extends over Afghanistan , Pakistan , India , Sri Lanka , Bangladesh and Nepal .
literature
- Ludwig Trutnau: poisonous snakes . Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-8001-7371-9 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ UniProt: α-Bungarotoxin (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ Spectrum Lexicon of Neuroscience: Bungarotoxins (accessed on August 22, 2015)
- ↑ WCH Clinical Toxinology Resources: Bungarus caeruleus (accessed October 16, 2016)
