A second record of scavenging behavior in the Common Indian Krait, Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801) from India

Interesting ophiophagy observed in Common Krait, Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801)

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T he Common Krait, Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801), is one of the most widespread and medically important venomous snakes in southern Asia (Whitaker and Captain 2004). They are known to scavenge dead snakes and lizards, even though their primary prey consists of lizards, frogs, rodents, and sometimes birds (Mohapatra 2011;Deshmukh et al 2016;Debata 2017;Pandey et al 2020). In regard to snakes, Common Kraits have been reported feeding on a Banded Racer (Argyrogena fasciolata), Whitaker's Boa (Eryx whitakeri), Streaked Kukri (Oligodon taeniolatus), and Common Sandboa (Eryx conicus), and cannibalism is known to occur (

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A banded krait Bungarus fasciatus scavenging on a water snake

“…The species is primarily nocturnal and will feed on a wide array of prey but is well known as a frequent predator of other snakes, a cannibal and an occasional scavenger (Daniel, 2002;Kalita et al, 2021;Knierim et al, 2017). A wide range of snake species have been reported to feed by scavenging such as Agkistrodon piscivourus feeding on dead fish in an intertidal zone, Bungarus caeruleus scavenging on a road-killed conspecific, and Malpolon monspessulanus feeding on a putrescent rat (Lillywhite et al, 2002;Deshmukh et al, 2016;Deso & Bonnet, 2023).…”

Feeding behavior and prey of Common Kraits, Bungarus caeruleus (Schneider 1801), from Western Maharashtra, India

“…Although these snakes are primarily ophiophagus, lizards, frogs, and rodents have been reported in the diet (Slowinski 1994;Whitaker and Captain 2004;Pandey et al 2020). They also are known to scavenge dead snakes and lizards (Mohapatra 2011; Deshmukh et al 2016;Debata 2017). Diets of venomous snakes are known to be one of the main drivers of intraspecific venom variation; thus documenting diets of medically important snakes can be useful in studies of venoms, which in turn can be useful for snakebite mitigation (Daltry et al 1996).…”