Follow me on instagram:
The Common Krait
The Common Krait
- Scientific name = Bungarus caeruleus
- It is an Elapidae Snake.
- Found All over India
- Local names = KALACH, Kalachiti, Seorchanda, Domnachiti , Ghamchata. Kala gandait, Kala taro etc.
IDENTIFICATION
- Non Hooded snake.
- Average length 2.5 feet.
- Glistening black colour.
- Slender white bands over body.
- Calm & quite night snake.
VENOM
- Strong Neurotoxic (presynaptic) Venom.
- There is no local pain or swelling.
- Fatal dose : One milligram only.
- Inj. Neostigmine doesn't give much benefit in management of a bite case.
THE MYSTERY
- Causes painless bite.
- Very fine almost invisible bite mark.
- Comes to the open floor bed.
- Variable period of onset of symptoms and signs.
- There may be Bizarre presentation.
Common Presentation Of A Bite Case
- Giddiness & Weakness.
- Pain Abdomen.
- Sore throat.
- Multiple joint pain.
- Vomiting.
- Convulsions.
DIAGNOSIS
- By High degree of suspicion.
- History of open floor bed last night.
- Most of the time there is no H/O any bite.
- No other physical abnormality.
- Acute bilateral ptosis.
- No improvement by Inj. Neostigmine.
MANAGEMENT
- Immediate infusion of AVS (Snake antivenin).
- Delay in AVS may lead to respiratory failure requiring ventilatory support.
POINTS TO REMEMBER
- Sleeping on Open floor bed is the main history.
- Presentation may be variable.
- H/O any bite usually absent.
- Development of Acute Bilateral Ptosis is pathognomonic in endemic area.
- Appearance of Pain abdomen in the coming morning.
- Rapid infusion of AVS helps in management.
- Delay in AVS may lead to respiratory failure.
Further Reading:
- toxinology.com.[Online].Available from: http://toxinology.com/fusebox.cfmfuseaction=main.snakes.display&id=SN0015.
- Whitaker R. COMMON INDIAN SNAKES-A Field Guide: MACMILLAN INDIA LIMITED; 2006.
- Karmakar RN. FORENSIC MEDICINE AND TOXICOLOGY: Academic Publishers.
- Nandy A. PRINCIPLES OF FORENSIC MEDICINE: New Central Book Agency.
Very interesting information, Glad we dont have anything like that here. wouldnt want that to crawl into bed with me, but it is pretty!!!
ReplyDeleteyes it is :)
ReplyDeletepretty and Dangerous...
Hi. Sir your article is very informative and interesting but my doubt is. Can common krait climb bed and vertical painted walls? And second one is can we see any cut or bruise in place of bite?or is there any easy and early symptom/sign to catch snake bite. Thanks again for your information about common krait
ReplyDeleteHi. Sir your article is very informative and interesting but my doubt is. Can common krait climb bed and vertical painted walls? And second one is can we see any cut or bruise in place of bite?or is there any easy and early symptom/sign to catch snake bite. Thanks again for your information about common krait
ReplyDelete