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{{Short description|Species of snake}}
{{speciesbox
{{Speciesbox
| name = Greater black krait
| image = Black krait (Bungarus niger).jpg
| image = Black krait (Bungarus niger).jpg
| genus = Bungarus
| status = LC
| status_system = IUCN3.1
⚫
| species = niger
| status_ref = <ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Das, A. |author2=Ghosh, A. |author3=Giri, V. |author4=Limbu, K.P. |year=2022 |amends=2021 |title=''Bungarus niger'' |volume=2022 |page=e.T127914430A219117076 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T127914430A219117076.en |access-date=15 August 2023}}</ref>
⚫
| authority = [[Frank Wall|Wall]], 1908
| genus = Bungarus
⚫
| species = niger
⚫
| authority = [[Frank Wall (herpetologist)|Wall]], 1908
| range_map = Bungarus niger Map.jpg
}}
}}


The '''greater black krait''' (''Bungarus niger'') is a [[species]] of [[krait]], a [[venomous]] [[elapid]] snake.
The '''greater black krait''' ('''''Bungarus niger''''') or '''black krait''', is a [[species]] of krait, a [[venomous snake]] in the genus ''[[Bungarus]]'' of the [[Family (biology)|family]] [[Elapidae]]. The species is [[Endemism|endemic]] to [[South Asia]].


==Description==
==Description==
This species is medium in length, slender-bodied, and triangular in cross-section, with a short, pointed tail. It can grow to a maximum of about {{convert|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but adults usually average around {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The head is flat and slightly distinct from the neck. The eyes are small to medium in size, black with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and glossy with scales of the vertebral row enlarged and hexagonal. Dorsal scale count is 15 - 15 - 15.<ref name=ct>{{cite web|title=Bungarus niger - General details|url=http://toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0024|work=Clinical Toxinology Resource|publisher=University of Adelaide|accessdate=17 April 2012}}</ref> It is syntopic with the lesser black krait (''[[Bungarus lividus]]''), but can be separated by the enlarged dorsal vertebral scales. The number of ventral and subcaudals are higher than in all other ''Bungarus'' species (216-231 ventrals and 47-57 subcaudals).<ref>Emmanuel Theophilus, Ashok Captain, Frank Tillack, Ulrich Kuch (2008) Reptilia, Elapidae, Bungarus niger: Distribution extension and first record for the state of Uttarakhand, India, with notes on snakebites in the Gori River valley. Check List 4(4):404–409 [http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD100-08 full text]</ref>
''Bungarus niger'' is medium in length, slender-bodied, and triangular in cross-section, with a short, pointed tail. It can grow to a maximum total length (including tail) of about {{convert|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}}, but adults usually average around {{convert|0.8|m|ft|abbr=on}}.
* '''Colouration''': The eyes are black; The tongue is pinkish with a lighter tip.; Upper and lower labials, chin and anterior part of the venter are whitish. Dorsally it is shiny black, interscale colouration is whitish. The venter is creamy white with black edges, which increases posteriorly from midbody.
* The head is flat and slightly distinct from the neck.
* The eyes are small to medium in size, with a round pupil.
* The [[dorsal scales]] are smooth and glossy, with scales of the vertebral row enlarged and hexagonal. The dorsal scale count is 15 - 15 - 15.<ref name=ct>{{cite web|title=''Bungarus niger'' – General Details|url=http://toxinology.com/fusebox.cfm?fuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0024|work=Clinical Toxinology Resource|publisher=University of Adelaide|accessdate=17 April 2012}}</ref> It is [[syntopic]] with the lesser black krait (''[[Bungarus lividus]]''), but can be separated by the enlarged dorsal vertebral scales. The scales are smooth and without apical pits.
* The number of ventral and subcaudals are higher than in all other ''Bungarus'' species (216-231 ventrals and 47-57 subcaudals).<ref>Theophilus, Emmanuel; [[Ashok Captain|Captain, Ashok]]; Tillack, Frank; Kuch, Ulrich (2008). "Reptilia, Elapidae, ''Bungarus niger'': Distribution extension and first record for the state of Uttarakhand, India, with notes on snakebites in the Gori River valley". ''Check List'' '''4''' (4): 404–409. [http://www.checklist.org.br/getpdf?NGD100-08 full text]</ref>


==Distribution and habitat==
==Distribution and habitat==
It is found in [[India]] mainly along the sub-[[Himalayas]] from [[Uttarakhand]] in the west to [[Arunachal Pradesh]] as well as in [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], Pakistan and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Bungarus|species=niger|accessdate=18 November 2013}}</ref> The species was described by [[Frank Wall]] from a specimen obtained from near [[Tindharia]] near [[Darjeeling]].<ref name=W&C04>{{cite book|last=Whitaker, Captain|first=Romulus, Ashok|title=Snakes of India, The Field Guide|year=2004|publisher=Draco Books|location=India|isbn=81-901873-0-9}}</ref> and the species is also available at Jalpaiguri town and other parts of the district. This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats from mangrove swamps to inhabited villages to montane forests up to elevations of {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level on the Himalayan foothills.<ref name=blacksnake>{{cite web|last=Ghose|first=A|title=Black snakes at night ''Bungarus niger'', an overlooked cause of snakebite envenoming in South Asia|url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/50537495/Black-snakes-at-night-Bungarus-niger--an-overlooked|accessdate=17 April 2012}}</ref>
''Bungarus niger'' is found in [[Northeast India|Northeast]] and [[North India]] ([[Assam]], [[Sikkim]], [[Arunachal Pradesh]], [[Uttarakhand]]), [[Nepal]], [[Bhutan]], and [[Bangladesh]].<ref name=RDB>{{NRDB species|genus=Bungarus|species=niger|accessdate=16 August 2020}}</ref> The species was described by [[Frank Wall (herpetologist)|Frank Wall]] from a specimen obtained from near [[Tindharia]] near [[Darjeeling]].<ref name=W&C04>{{cite book|author1=Whitaker, Romulus|author-link=Romulus Whitaker|author2=Captain, Ashok |title=Snakes of India, The Field Guide|year=2004|publisher=Draco Books. 495 pp.|location=Chennai|isbn=81-901873-0-9}}</ref> The species is also found at Jalpaiguri town and other parts of the district. This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats from mangrove swamps to inhabited villages to montane forests up to elevations of {{convert|1500|m|ft|abbr=on}} above sea level on the Himalayan foothills.<ref name=blacksnake>{{cite web|author=Ghose A|title=Black snakes at night ''Bungarus niger'', an overlooked cause of snakebite envenoming in South Asia|url=http://www.docstoc.com/docs/50537495/Black-snakes-at-night-Bungarus-niger--an-overlooked|accessdate=17 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161116101112/http://www.docstoc.com/docs/50537495/Black-snakes-at-night-Bungarus-niger--an-overlooked|archive-date=2016-11-16|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is often encountered in the tea gardens of the northeastern India.


==Behavior and ecology==
==Behavior and ecology==
This [[nocturnal]] and terrestrial snake has an inoffensive disposition. When disturbed, it coils loosely and hides its head beneath its body; it is reluctant to bite except upon persistent provocation. It [[predation|preys]] mostly on snakes and small mammals and occasionally [[lizard]]s, frogs, and fish.<ref name=ct/>
A [[Nocturnality|nocturnal]] and terrestrial snake, ''B. niger'' has an inoffensive disposition. When disturbed, it coils loosely and hides its head beneath its body. It is reluctant to bite except upon persistent provocation. It [[predation|preys]] mostly on snakes and small mammals and occasionally [[lizard]]s, frogs, and fish.<ref name=ct/>


==Venom==
==Venom==
Its venom consists of both pre- and postsynaptic [[neurotoxin]]s, and may also contain [[myotoxin]]s. This snake is often overlooked, but it is a medically important species, as it has caused many bites; the mortality rate associated with it is not known, but is said to be quite high.<ref name=ct/><ref name=blacksnake/>
The venom of ''B. niger'' consists of both presynaptic and postsynaptic [[neurotoxin]]s, and may also contain [[myotoxin]]s. This snake is often overlooked, but it is a medically important species, as it has caused many bites. The mortality rate associated with it is not known, but is said to be quite high.<ref name=ct/><ref name=blacksnake/>


==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==Notes==
==Further reading==
*[[:fr:Indraneil Das|Das I]] (2002). ''A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India''. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. {{ISBN|0-88359-056-5}}. (''Bungarus niger'', p.&nbsp;51).
* Grosselet, O., M. Vauche, A. Gupta & S. Gupta. 2004. Bungarus niger Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae): Extension of range to Cachar district, Assam, India. Russ. J. Herpetol. 11(1):10-11.
*Grosselet O, Vauche M, Gupta A, Gupta S (2004). "''Bungarus niger'' Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae): Extension of range to Cachar district, Assam, India". ''Russian J. Herpetol.'' '''11''' (1): 10-11.
* [[Joseph Bruno Slowinski|Slowinski, J. B.]] 1994. A phylogenetic analysis of ''Bungarus'' (Elapidae) based on morphological characters. Journal of Herpetology 28(4):440-446.
*[[Joseph Bruno Slowinski|Slowinski JB]] (1994). "A phylogenetic analysis of ''Bungarus'' (Elapidae) based on morphological characters". ''Journal of Herpetology'' '''28''' (4): 440-446.
⚫
* Tillack, Frank and Wolfgang Grossmann. 2001. ''Ein neuer Nachweis zur Schlangenfauna Nepals: Bungarus niger Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae)''. Sauria 23(1):3-9.
*[[Malcolm Arthur Smith|Smith MA]] (1943). ''The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes''. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (''Bungarus niger'', p. 417).
* [[Frank Wall|Wall, F.]] 1908. A popular treatise of the common Indian snakes. J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 18:711-735.
⚫
*Tillack, Frank; Grossmann, Wolfgang (2001). "''Ein neuer Nachweis zur Schlangenfauna Nepals: ''Bungarus niger'' Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae)'' ". ''Sauria'' '''23''' (1): 3-9. (in German).
*[[Frank Wall (herpetologist)|Wall F]] (1908). "A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part VIII". ''J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc.'' '''18''' (4): 711-735 + Plate VIII. (''Bungarus niger'', new species, pp. 715–716).


{{Taxonbar|from=Q2709380}}
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[[Category:Elapidae]]

⚫
[[Category:Bungarus|niger]]
[[Category:Snakes of Asia]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Bangladesh]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Bhutan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Bhutan]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of India]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Nepal]]
[[Category:Reptiles of Nepal]]
[[Category:Kraits]]
[[Category:Reptiles described in 1908]]
[[Category:Animals described in 1908]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Frank Wall]]

Latest revision as of 14:12, 15 March 2024

Greater black krait
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Bungarus
Species:
B. niger
Binomial name
Bungarus niger
Wall, 1908

The greater black krait (Bungarus niger) or black krait, is a species of krait, a venomous snake in the genus Bungarus of the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to South Asia.

Description

[edit]

Bungarus niger is medium in length, slender-bodied, and triangular in cross-section, with a short, pointed tail. It can grow to a maximum total length (including tail) of about 1.3 m (4.3 ft), but adults usually average around 0.8 m (2.6 ft).

  • Colouration: The eyes are black; The tongue is pinkish with a lighter tip.; Upper and lower labials, chin and anterior part of the venter are whitish. Dorsally it is shiny black, interscale colouration is whitish. The venter is creamy white with black edges, which increases posteriorly from midbody.
  • The head is flat and slightly distinct from the neck.
  • The eyes are small to medium in size, with a round pupil.
  • The dorsal scales are smooth and glossy, with scales of the vertebral row enlarged and hexagonal. The dorsal scale count is 15 - 15 - 15.[2] It is syntopic with the lesser black krait (Bungarus lividus), but can be separated by the enlarged dorsal vertebral scales. The scales are smooth and without apical pits.
  • The number of ventral and subcaudals are higher than in all other Bungarus species (216-231 ventrals and 47-57 subcaudals).[3]

Distribution and habitat

[edit]

Bungarus niger is found in Northeast and North India (Assam, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand), Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh.[4] The species was described by Frank Wall from a specimen obtained from near Tindharia near Darjeeling.[5] The species is also found at Jalpaiguri town and other parts of the district. This species inhabits a wide variety of habitats from mangrove swamps to inhabited villages to montane forests up to elevations of 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level on the Himalayan foothills.[6] It is often encountered in the tea gardens of the northeastern India.

Behavior and ecology

[edit]

A nocturnal and terrestrial snake, B. niger has an inoffensive disposition. When disturbed, it coils loosely and hides its head beneath its body. It is reluctant to bite except upon persistent provocation. It preys mostly on snakes and small mammals and occasionally lizards, frogs, and fish.[2]

Venom

[edit]

The venom of B. niger consists of both presynaptic and postsynaptic neurotoxins, and may also contain myotoxins. This snake is often overlooked, but it is a medically important species, as it has caused many bites. The mortality rate associated with it is not known, but is said to be quite high.[2][6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Das, A.; Ghosh, A.; Giri, V.; Limbu, K.P. (2022) [amended version of 2021 assessment]. "Bungarus niger". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2022: e.T127914430A219117076. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-2.RLTS.T127914430A219117076.en. Retrieved 15 August 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Bungarus niger – General Details". Clinical Toxinology Resource. University of Adelaide. Retrieved 17 April 2012.
  3. ^ Theophilus, Emmanuel; Captain, Ashok; Tillack, Frank; Kuch, Ulrich (2008). "Reptilia, Elapidae, Bungarus niger: Distribution extension and first record for the state of Uttarakhand, India, with notes on snakebites in the Gori River valley". Check List 4 (4): 404–409. full text
  4. ^ Bungarus niger at the Reptarium.cz Reptile Database. Accessed 16 August 2020.
  5. ^ Whitaker, Romulus; Captain, Ashok (2004). Snakes of India, The Field Guide. Chennai: Draco Books. 495 pp. ISBN 81-901873-0-9.
  6. ^ a b Ghose A. "Black snakes at night Bungarus niger, an overlooked cause of snakebite envenoming in South Asia". Archived from the original on 2016-11-16. Retrieved 17 April 2012.

Further reading

[edit]
  • Das I (2002). A Photographic Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of India. Sanibel Island, Florida: Ralph Curtis Books. 144 pp. ISBN 0-88359-056-5. (Bungarus niger, p. 51).
  • Grosselet O, Vauche M, Gupta A, Gupta S (2004). "Bungarus niger Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae): Extension of range to Cachar district, Assam, India". Russian J. Herpetol. 11 (1): 10-11.
  • Slowinski JB (1994). "A phylogenetic analysis of Bungarus (Elapidae) based on morphological characters". Journal of Herpetology 28 (4): 440-446.
  • Smith MA (1943). The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, Including the Whole of the Indo-Chinese Sub-region. Reptilia and Amphibia. Vol. III.—Serpentes. London: Secretary of State for India. (Taylor and Francis, printers). xii + 583 pp. (Bungarus niger, p. 417).
  • Tillack, Frank; Grossmann, Wolfgang (2001). "Ein neuer Nachweis zur Schlangenfauna Nepals: Bungarus niger Wall, 1908 (Reptilia: Serpentes: Elapidae) ". Sauria 23 (1): 3-9. (in German).
  • Wall F (1908). "A Popular Treatise on the Common Indian Snakes. Part VIII". J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc. 18 (4): 711-735 + Plate VIII. (Bungarus niger, new species, pp. 715–716).
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