Venomous snakes with easily identifiable characteristics in Vietnam (Part 2)

Snakes in general and venomous snakes in particular are distributed throughout Vietnam, in many different terrains, including plains, midlands, tropical forests, high mountains and even in marine environments...

Among the venomous snakes in Vietnam, many species are found even in densely populated areas. Recognizing venomous snakes will help reduce the risk of snakebites, leading to unfortunate accidents.

Below are some venomous snakes with easily identifiable characteristics in Vietnam. Based on these characteristics, readers can recognize snakes crawling into their homes or living areas to take appropriate measures.

Cham Quail - The snake species is considered as "living mine" in Vietnam

The Calloselasma rhodostoma ( scientific name Calloselasma rhodostoma), also known as the Malaysian viper, is a venomous snake belonging to the viper family.

The indigo snake is widely distributed in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, part of Indonesia...

In Vietnam, the Indigo snake is distributed in the South Central region, Central Highlands, Southeast region... in which the most common and frequent are Binh Thuan, Ninh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Nui Cam - An Giang ...

The indigo snake is easily recognized thanks to the symmetrical triangular pattern that forms a butterfly shape on its body (Photo: Nguyen Chi Lam).

The indigo snake is often found in rubber, cajuput, eucalyptus forests, abandoned agricultural land with lots of grass, fruit gardens, etc. Notably, the indigo snake is sometimes found in areas where humans live because they often chase rats, the favorite food of this snake species.

This snake species is usually 70 to 90cm long when fully grown, sometimes up to 1m long, females are usually larger than males. The indigo snake has a distinct head and neck, the head is large and triangular.

A very recognizable feature of this snake is that along its back there are symmetrical brown triangular patterns, forming a shape resembling butterfly wings. The body of this snake is yellow-gray or brown.

The color of the indigo snake makes it very difficult to detect in hiding environments (Photo: SIFASV).

The indigo snake usually hides under piles of dry leaves. Due to the color characteristics of its body, it is difficult to recognize the presence of this snake in areas with a lot of dry leaves, especially in plantations. The indigo snake can also be found under tree holes, rocks, etc.

While other snakes, including venomous snakes, usually try to hide when humans approach, the indigo snake curls up and lies still in a pile of dry leaves, instead of trying to hide. If a human accidentally steps close or steps on it, the indigo snake will strike, then it will continue to curl up and lie still, ready to attack again.

Video shows the characteristic of lying still and attacking of the indigo snake (Video: Viet Jungle School).

It is this behavior of lying still in place to defend itself, rather than running away when feeling threatened, that gives the indigo snake its nickname "human mine".

The cobra is a snake that possesses venom with enzymes that are toxic to cells and affect the blood (hemotoxic), capable of destroying red blood cells and tissues, causing severe pain and bleeding.

Because the indigo snake is easily recognized by its body patterns and colors, people can proactively avoid confrontation or have appropriate handling plans when encountering this snake in the wild or where they live.

Indigo snake appears on the roadside in Phan Thiet city, Binh Thuan (Video: SIFASV).

Krait - A venomous snake with distinctive black and white stripes

Bungarus (scientific name Bungarus) is the common name of a genus of snakes belonging to the cobra family, possessing deadly venom.

In Vietnam, there are two species of kraits distributed, including the northern krait (scientific name Bungarus multicunctus) and the remaining species is the southern krait (scientific name Bungarus candidus).

Image to distinguish between the male and northern kraits. Both have distinctive black and white bands and raised backs (Photo: TL).

The names northern krait and southern krait refer to the distribution range of these two snake species. In which, northern krait is mainly distributed from Nghe An to the northern provinces, while southern krait is distributed from the central to southern provinces of Vietnam.

The northern krait usually lives in plains and mountainous areas at an altitude of about 1,300m. They often live in dense bushes, forests, mangrove forests, rice fields, etc.

The male krait usually lives in tropical forests, wet soil near water sources, rice fields, agricultural land... This snake species is often found at altitudes of 250 to 300m, rarely found at altitudes above 1,500m above sea level.

Both species of kraits are notable for their bodies with alternating black and white stripes, triangular bodies with high backs.

Close-up of a male krait with black and white rings and a triangular back (Photo: TNP).

Adult northern kraits can grow to 1 to 1.5 metres in length, sometimes reaching lengths of up to 1.8 metres, but this is rare. Meanwhile, the male krait is smaller, ranging from 0.8 to 1.3 metres in length, and can grow to 1.6 metres, but this is also rare.

The male krait is a nocturnal snake. It is usually slow and shy during the day.

This snake has a very dangerous characteristic, which is that it likes to crawl into narrow spaces to hide. Therefore, they can crawl into the house and hide in hidden places in the house such as corners of walls, under the foot of cabinets, under the bed or sometimes hide right under the pillow on the bed.

Although this snake does not actively attack humans, because they often hide in hidden and hard-to-see places in the house, if people accidentally touch or step on it, they can be bitten by a krait.

The moment a banded krait crawled onto a bed at night in Lam Dong (Video: Lee Nan).

This snake's bite is usually painless, and the bite can be so mild that people who are sleeping soundly do not know they have been bitten. This can be dangerous for the victim, because they do not know they have been bitten by a venomous snake and are not taken to the hospital in time.

Kraits are a type of snake that possess neurotoxic venom. Even if a conscious person is bitten by a snake, the bite will only cause a slight itching and numbness, without causing swelling or pain to the victim, causing many people to be subjective.

However, the krait is considered one of the most venomous snakes on land. If not treated promptly, the venom of the krait will affect the nervous system, causing symptoms such as drooping eyelids, chest pain, body aches, weak limbs, loss of voice, difficulty breathing, etc., and eventually leading to death.

The color and appearance of the krait are quite similar to those of the genus Lycodon. This is a genus of water snakes, with body color also consisting of white and black bands.

Morphological variations of the Indochinese krait, a harmless snake that resembles a krait in appearance (Photo: Nguyen Van Tan).

Identifying and distinguishing between kraits and pit vipers is not simple, even for those who have experience with snakes. Therefore, when encountering snakes with white or black stripes on their bodies, people should proactively stay away, instead of trying to identify and distinguish whether they are venomous snakes or not.

Krait - A venomous snake with characteristic yellow and black rings

The banded krait, scientifically known as Bungarus fasciatus, is another species of snake in the genus Bungarus, family Cobra. This snake is found in many areas in Asia, including Vietnam.

In our country, this snake species is widely distributed throughout the country, living in terrains from plains, midlands to mountains. They often live in termite mounds, rodent burrows, in tree holes, under rocks...

A banded krait with a distinctive black and yellow body and a raised spine (Photo: Sourish Kuttalam).

The banded krait is a large snake, averaging 1.8m in length and rarely reaching a maximum length of 2.3m. The banded krait is distinguished by its yellow and black bands all over its body. The head is black with two yellow markings, forming an arrowhead.

However, the color of the banded krait can vary depending on its habitat, such as the yellow part becoming lighter and tending to turn white, similar to the krait.

Like the krait, the banded krait has a triangular body with a high back.

Banded kraits are also nocturnal snakes, feeding on fish, frogs, rodents, small reptiles and other snakes smaller than themselves. Banded kraits do not chase prey but usually lie in wait for prey to pass by so they can attack and eat it.

The tapered, non-pointed tail is also an identifying feature of the banded krait (Photo: iNatural).

Banded kraits are attracted to and follow fire, so they may appear at campfires of hikers or overnight campers.

The banded krait is an extremely venomous snake, with a strong neurotoxic venom that can be fatal if not treated promptly. Therefore, if you encounter a snake with the above characteristics, keep a safe distance, do not try to approach or catch it to avoid being bitten.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/khoa-hoc/nhung-loai-ran-doc-co-dac-diem-de-nhan-dang-tai-viet-nam-phan-2-20250315090812686.htm