Greater Black Krait

What was your first reaction when you saw this photo? Probably one of shock, hopefully accompanied by a dash of intrigue. 

This is a Greater Black Krait which is native to Bangladesh and most areas around the Himalayan foothills down to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. It's classified as an “elapid” which means it's closely related to cobras. So yes, this snake, unlike most in Bangladesh, is venomous. Does that mean it's dangerous though? Usually not. Now let me explain as you probably just scoffed at such a seemingly absurd claim!

This snake, like all species on this Earth, has an important purpose. Even if you can't think of a purpose for a species' existence, the fact is, is that it wouldn't exist and be able to survive in the wild if it didn't play an important role. This snake actually specialises in eating other snakes and does everything it can to avoid humans. If it didn't exist, then other snake populations would skyrocket which then throws the whole natural balance – which took eons to establish – off. Unfortunately, when we pile a bunch of bricks or wood around our houses, to a snake that looks like the equivalent of a Hollywood Mansion! When we unwittingly entice a snake to live around us, that's when they become dangerous. Even then though, you'll have an extremely low chance of ever actually seeing something so elusive like this Krait. When you do, the absolute safest thing you can do is to let it be. By far, the most snake bites occur while trying to handle, harass, or kill a snake. It may then come as a surprise to you to hear that as a professional, I have handled this species for extended periods of time and never had it even attempted to bite me, but this does not mean you should do the same! They will only ever bite you and waste their precious energy reserves when they feel you are a threat to their life. So do yourself and the snakes a favour and live in peaceful harmony; don't risk your life trying to kill them. 

Photo: Scott Trageser/Nature Stills

Text: Creative Conservation Alliance (CCA)