Soutbeasf Asia 



INTRODUCTION 



In number and variety of species the snake 

 fainia of soutlieast Asia is undoul)tedly the rich- 

 est in tlie world. It is the only region where 

 vii'tually all major groups of snakes are repre- 

 sented. The richness of the fauna reflects parth* 

 the great variety of serpent habitats which range 

 from semiarid slopes to fresh and salt water 

 mar.shes, from alpine meadows to tropical rain 

 forest. The region lias l)een a major center of 

 serpent evolution as well as one wliere some prim- 

 itive types have survived. 



Southeast Asia lias also maintained for cen- 

 turies a dense human population organized into a 



Map 9.— Section S. Southeast Asia 



succession of complex cultures and subcultures. 

 Over this time span many kinds of snakes, in- 

 cluding several venomous species, have developed 

 a pattern of coexistence with man. Xowhere else 

 do dangerous snakes and humans live in closer 

 proximity in such numbers. This is the chief 

 reason why southeast Asia has the world's higliest 



incidence of snakebites and snakebite deaths. 

 This does not mean that snakes are everywhere 

 apparent. Americans and Europeans visiting 

 tropical Asia or living in its cities may never see 

 a snake other than those exhibited by snake 

 charmers. Extreme secret iveness is part of the 

 snake's scheme for survival. But sometimes man 

 and poisonous snake confront each other suddenly 

 and unexpectedly to the everlasting disadvantage 

 of one or both parties. 



Vipers, cobras and their elajiid allies, and sea 

 snakes are all well represented in southeast Asia 

 and all conti'ibute to the snakebite problem. 

 While few cai-eful studies have l^een made, there 

 is evidence that vipers, including pit vipers, are 

 responsible for the greater number of snakebite 

 cases while elapids are credited with fewer bites 

 but a higher percentage of deaths. Sea snake 

 bites are not uncommon in coastal villages. 



GENERIC AND SPECIES DESCRIPTIONS 



THE KRAITS 

 ( liungtirufi) 



The name krait (of ITindhi origin) has been 

 associated by English speaking peoples with a 

 small venomous Indian snake. Actually there 

 ai-e several species of kraits and none of them are 

 small; in fact, two reach lengths of about 7 feet. 

 Kraits resemble many nonpoisonous snakes in 

 general appearance. They have short rather flat 

 heads only slightly wider than the neck. The 

 eyes are small and dark, the pupils almost in- 

 visible in life. They are smooth scaled and 

 glossy; most have a vivid pattern of crossbands. 

 Three features of scutellation help distinguish 

 kraits from other Asian snakes — a combination 

 of all is diagnostic: 



1. The vertebral row of scales is strongly en- 

 larged, except in one rare species. 



2. At least some of the subcaudals are undi- 

 vided; in most species all are undivided. 



?>. The loreal shield is absent. 



Kraits are strongly nocturnal, and their alert 

 disix)sition by night difl'ers from their quiet, al- 

 most stupid behavior by day. They cause few 

 snakebites but the case fatality rate is very high. 



Kraits lay eggs that are attended bv the fe- 

 male. Their food consists largely of other snakes. 



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