Diurnal observation of a Malayan Krait Bungarus candidus (Reptilia: Elapidae) feeding inside a building in Thailand

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Cameron Wesley Hodges
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2101-6792
Anji D'souza
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9177-5159
Sira Jintapirom

Abstract

Malayan Kraits Bungarus candidus have been reported to bite humans during the night after entering dwellings.  We report an observation of an adult krait feeding on a colubrid snake Chrysopelea ornata during the early morning, in the hallway of a large building at the center of a university campus in Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand.  To our knowledge, this is the first observation of a wild B. candidus feeding within a building.  This observation provides insight into why kraits enter human settlements, and since the event took place shortly after sunrise it also indicates that this nocturnal species can remain active during daylight when feeding.  Further studies will be required to determine how often B. candidus forages among human structures. 


 

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