Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
Snakes · Difficulty: Expert
Key facts and care guidance for Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) (origin: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh). Adult size around 100–170 cm. Life expectancy 15–20 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Common krait: How big does the enclosure need to be?
120×60×60 cm.
Common krait: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 26–30 °C, basking spot 31–32 °C, at night 21–24 °C.
Common krait: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not essential.
Common krait: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 15–20 years.
Common krait: Is it suitable for beginners?
No – better suited to experienced keepers (difficulty: Expert).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 26–30 °C
- Night temperature
- 21–24 °C
- Basking spot
- 31–32 °C
- Humidity
- 60–75 %
- UVB
- Not essential
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 120×60×60 cm
- Substrate
- Substrate with hides, a water basin
Feeding
- Food
- Snakes, rodents (they need switching over)
- Feeding interval
- adults every 10–14 days
Key facts
- Adult size
- 100–170 cm
- Life expectancy
- 15–20 years
- Origin
- India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh
- Protection status
- VENOMOUS – one of India's "Big Four", with a great many deaths; a dangerous animal
- 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
It causes numerous fatal bites in India, often at night during sleep. The bite is barely painful, and the paralysis sets in hours later.
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Related species
- Malayan krait (Bungarus candidus) – Expert
- Banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) – 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 Common krait (Bungarus caeruleus) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (120×60×60 cm), substrate (Substrate with hides, 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 caeruleus - Reproduction – https://reptile-database.reptarium.cz/species?genus=Bungarus&species=caeruleus, Wikipedia: Common krait, eierlegend – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_krait, https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gew%C3%B6hnlicher_Krait, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_krait
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).