Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) (origin: South-East Asia, eastern India). Adult size around 120–200 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Banded krait: How big does the enclosure need to be?
150×70×60 cm.
Banded krait: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 25–29 °C, basking spot 30–32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Banded krait: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Banded krait: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Banded krait: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 25–29 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 30–32 °C
- Humidity
- 65–80 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 150×70×60 cm
- Substrate
- Damp substrate, plenty of hides near the ground, a water basin
Feeding
- Food
- Other snakes (frozen-thawed); switching them to rodents is difficult
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 120–200 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- South-East Asia, eastern India
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – a strong neurotoxin; a dangerous animal under German state law
- Brumation
- None
- Cohabitation
- Keep them singly. Kraits feed mainly on other snakes, including their own kind - a second animal in the enclosure is not company but prey. On top of that comes the feeding accident: if two animals grab the same food item, one can swallow the other. For breeding, put them together only under supervision and separate them again afterwards.
Notes
Strikingly ringed in yellow and black. Active at night, and markedly more irritable then than by day. It prefers to eat snakes – supplying food is the real hurdle.
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Related species
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
- Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) – Expert
- Many-banded krait (Bungarus multicinctus) – Expert
- Savanna vine snake (Thelotornis capensis) – Expert
- Egyptian cobra (Naja haje) – Expert
- Egyptian saw-scaled viper (Echis pyramidum) – Expert
- Barnett's lancehead (Bothrops barnetti) – Expert
- Usambara bush viper (Atheris ceratophora) – Expert
What you need to start
To keep Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (150×70×60 cm), substrate (Damp substrate, plenty of hides near the ground, a water basin), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 8 November 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: Reptile Database: Bungarus fasciatus - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bungarus&species=fasciatus, Wikipedia: Banded krait, eierlegend – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus_fasciatus, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelbgeb%C3%A4nderter_Krait, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banded_krait, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).