Have you ever heard of a snake that only comes out at night, hides under rocks, and is both beautiful and deadly? That’s the Sri Lankan krait, a secretive and special snake found only in our motherland. Let’s take a closer look at this amazing creature and learn why it’s so important to protect it—even if we might be a little scared of snakes.
What is the Sri Lankan Krait?
The Sri Lankan krait (scientific name: Bungarus ceylonicus) is a venomous snake that belongs to the elapid family—the same family as cobras. But don’t worry—it’s very shy and would rather hide than bite. This snake is easy to recognise because of its beautiful black body with white bands. It’s not very big—usually about 75 cm to 90 cm long—and it has a thin, shiny body with a short tail. Its head is slightly wider than its neck and its eyes are small and dark.
Where does it live?
The Sri Lankan krait loves to stay hidden during the day. It rests in cool, quiet places like under logs, leaf piles, rock crevices, or old buildings. When night falls, it comes out to hunt. That’s why it’s called a nocturnal snake.
It lives mostly in the Wet Zone of Sri Lanka and less so in the Dry Zone, especially in forests and near streams. It is commonly seen in the central hilly areas of Sri Lanka and frequently sighted in Kandy, Peradeniya, Gelioya, Gampola, Nawalapitiya, Ritigala and Balangoda.
Some kraits live close to human homes in villages, where they look for their favourite food—small snakes, lizards, frogs, and sometimes mice.
Is it dangerous?
Yes, the Sri Lankan krait is highly venomous. Its venom affects the nervous system and can be very dangerous to humans. But here’s the good news: this snake is not aggressive at all. It’s very gentle and quiet. Bites usually happen only when someone accidentally steps on it or tries to pick it up.
So the best rule is: never touch or go near a snake, even if it looks harmless. If you see one, call an adult or a wildlife expert.
Why should we care?
Some people think all snakes are scary and bad, but that’s not true. Snakes like the Sri Lankan krait play an important role in nature. They help control the number of pests like rats and mice. This keeps farms and homes safer. Also, since this snake is found only in Sri Lanka, it’s part of what makes our island so special. Losing it would be like losing a treasure that no other country has.
How can we help?
* Learn and teach others about snakes. When people understand them, they are less likely to harm them.
* Protect forests and streams, where the krait lives.
* Support conservation efforts that protect endangered animals.
So next time you hear about the Sri Lankan krait, remember—it’s not just a snake.
It’s a rare and wonderful part of Sri Lanka’s wildlife family.
