Two White Colored Krait Bungarus Snake Species Spotted in Nepal

In Nepal, two white-colored individuals of two krait snake species were discovered, which belong to the Bungarus genus. These kraits were discovered in response to rescue calls from the southeast region of Nepal's Province 2.

New research publication

Kraits are among the most venomous of snakes. The two snakes were recorded in a new paper published in the journal Herpetology Notes.

Last April 25, in the municipality of Dhanusadham in the district of Dhanusha, a black-eyed, pink Wall's Krait (Bungarus walli) was found.

According to wildlife photographer and reptile rescuer Ganesh Sah, the animal was being kept within a clay pot. In the beginning, the community thought he just wanted to profit from the snake's discovery. The people in the community had to be convinced before they let Sah release it in the wild.

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Second specimen

Then, after more than a month from the first discovery, Sah rescued a second leucistic serpent, this time in the Kishanpur region of Dhanushadham.

Its scientific name is Bungarus niger, and its common name is greater black krait.

This second snake appeared like another individual discovered last April in Matiarba.

Snake albinism and leucism

In leucism, the individual's genes cause it to have partial or total loss of skin pigmentation, which results in white skin. In leucism, the color of the eyes is unaffected.

Meanwhile, albinism is the lack of skin pigment melanin, including the pigment in the eyes. Albinos have pink-colored eyes because their red blood vessels are seen through their eyeballs.

According to the lead study author of the paper, Kamal Devkota, the condition of leucism and albinism in snakes provides them with a disadvantage because they are easier to see and thus can be predated upon more easily.

They also cannot camouflage themselves, making it more difficult for them to hunt for food.

The conditions also make them incapable of thermoregulation, thus negatively affecting their digestion and movement.

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Two krait species

The first discovered snake is a Wall's Krait. This species' normal pigmentation is a shiny black body and head, and a tail that is black, brownish-black, or gray, along with various yellowish or narrow white bands.

The Wall's Krait is known to occur in Nepal's southeastern lowlands, North India's Gangetic floodplains, and the delta region of Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the second snake is the greater black krait, which has shiny dark chocolate, brownish-black or blackhead and body, and a tail having no lines or bands.

This species is present in the lower mountains and lowlands of Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and India.

The plight of venomous snakes

Kraits are usually nocturnal species, meaning they are active during nighttime. Their venom can be fatal, with bites resulting in deaths within a mere 24 hours.

According to WHO or World Health Organization data, an estimated 20,000 people become snakebites per year in Nepal. From these, fatality is over 1,000. However, studies suggest that the actual deaths could be more.

In Nepal, fewer than 20% of all species of snakes are highly venomous. Unfortunately, people's fear of snakes usually leads to them killing even non-venomous species. Harmless rat snakes are usually mistaken for cobras, while wolf snakes are mistaken as kraits.

Snake information centers and awareness programs helped change people's perceptions on the Bungarus krait and other snake species, with individuals and organizations educating people and rescuing snakes in Nepal.

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