Status, distribution and threats of kraits (Squamata: Elapidae: Bungarus) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Kraits (Bungarus spp.) of Bangladesh were studied between January 2014 and March 2015.  Five species of kraits are known to occur in Bangladesh.  These are the Common Krait Bungarus caeruleus, Banded Krait B. fasciatus, Lesser Black Krait B. lividus, Greater Black Krait B. niger and Wall’s Krait B. walli.  Banded Krait is the commonest and Lesser Black Krait is the rarest krait species in the country.  The status of these five kraits in Bangladesh has been assessed.  The distributions have been compiled and discussed, and some reasons for their population decline have also been pointed out.