Field guide
Sri Lanka krait
මුදු කරවලා · mudu karawala
Bungarus ceylonicus
Highly venomous Endemic
A bite from this species is a medical emergency.
An endemic, potentially lethal krait of the wet zone and hills.
How to identify
1Black with white crossbands widening on the flanks
2Enlarged vertebral scale row
3Slender, glossy body
If bitten
MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Keep the victim still, immobilise the limb, apply a pressure bandage. Do NOT cut, suck, tourniquet or ice. Neurotoxic effects (drooping eyelids, breathing difficulty) may be delayed; reach antivenom hospital immediately.
Up to 0.75 m
Length
Nocturnal
Active
Other snakes
Diet
Where it's found
Wet zoneHill country
Wet-zone forest, plantations and gardens; hides by day under logs and stones.