About Bungarus candidus (Linnaeus, 1758)
Size
Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait, can reach a total length of 108 cm (43 in), with a tail measuring 16 cm (6.3 in) long.
Dorsal Crossbands
On its dorsal side, the body and tail have 27 to 34 dark-brown, black, or bluish-black crossbands; these crossbands are narrowed and rounded along the sides.
The first crossband is continuous with the dark coloration of the krait's head.
Dorsal Interband Spaces
The dark crossbands are separated by broad, yellowish-white gaps that may have black spots.
Ventral Coloration
On its ventral side, the Malayan krait is uniformly white.
Melanistic Morph
An unbanded solid black form also appears in some populations, reportedly in West and Central Java.
Dorsal Scales
The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows, and the vertebral row of scales is much enlarged.
Ventral and Subcaudal Scales
There are 195 to 237 ventrals, the anal plate is undivided, and the single (undivided) subcaudals number between 37 and 56.
Distribution
This species is found in Southeast Asia, ranging from Indochina south to Java and Bali in Indonesia.
