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The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2021: T192121A2042823
Scope(s): Global
Language: English
Bungarus bungaroides, Himalayan Krait
Assessment by: Wangyal, J., Das, A., Ghosh, A. & Limbu, K.
View on www.iucnredlist.org
Citation: Wangyal, J., Das, A., Ghosh, A. & Limbu, K. 2021. Bungarus bungaroides. The IUCN Red List
of Threatened Species 2021: e.T192121A2042823. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-
3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
Taxonomy
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family
Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Elapidae
Scientific Name:ÊÊBungarus bungaroides (Cantor, 1839)
Synonym(s):
• Elaps bungaroides Cantor, 1839
Common Name(s):
• English: Himalayan Krait, Northeastern Hill Krait
Taxonomic Source(s):
Uetz, P., Freed, P. and Hošek, J. (eds). 2021. The Reptile Database. 22 May 2021. Available at:
http://www.reptile-database.org. (Accessed: 9 July 2021).
Taxonomic Notes:
The population from northern Vietnam previously assigned to this species was described as a separate
species, Bungarus slowinskii, by Kuch et al. (2005).
Assessment Information
Red List Category & Criteria: Least Concern ver 3.1
Year Published: 2021
Date Assessed: September 7, 2019
Justification:
This is a rare species that is only occasionally collected. However, it covers a wide geographic range from
Nepal to Yunnan province in China, including Bhutan and northern Myanmar. Although it is likely used
by people, due to its apparent rarity compared with other members of this genus, levels of exploitation
are likely to be low, and threats to its forest habitat localized. It is therefore listed as Least Concern.
Geographic Range
Range Description:
This species occurs in southeastern Tibet, eastern Nepal (including a recent record from Dhankuta
District - K. Limbu pers. comm. 2019), northeastern India, and northern Myanmar (Smith 1943, Kuch et
al. 2005, Leviton et al. 2008), and has recently also been reported from Bhutan (Wangyal 2011). It
presumably also occurs in intervening Bangladesh. Indian records include Assam (Cachar), Sikkim (along
the Teesta Valley - Chettri et al. 2003), Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh (Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary) (I.
Agarwal pers. comm.), Nagaland (Khonoma pers. obs., and Sitikhima (Ao et al. 2004). It has been
recorded along the Teesta Valley, Sikkim, India (Chettri et al., 2003). It has been recorded as high as
2,040 m asl (Boulenger 1896) and as low as 250 m asl (Ao et al. 2004).
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Country Occurrence:
Native, Extant (resident): Bhutan; China (Tibet [or Xizang], Yunnan); India (Assam, Darjiling, Meghalaya,
Sikkim); Myanmar; Nepal
Native, Presence Uncertain: Bangladesh
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Distribution Map
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Population
There are no data on population size and trends for this species. It is rare. It has not been found in
recent surveys in northern Myanmar (G. Wogan pers. comm. August 2011).
Current Population Trend:ÊÊUnknown
Habitat and Ecology (see Appendix for additional information)
This species occurs in both lowland and montane open tropical forest, agricultural areas, and is also
found near residential areas (Sharma et al. 2013). It is venomous snake that may represent a conflict
with humans, as it occurs near populated areas.
Systems:ÊÊTerrestrial
Use and Trade
Although there are no records of this species in trade, species in the genus Bungarus are in high demand
for the medicinal trade in China and this species is therefore likely to be exploited, although as it is rare
it is probably only occasionally collected.
Threats (see Appendix for additional information)
The species is probably threatened by forest loss resulting from agricultural conversion and settlements,
but the impacts of these pressures on this rare but wide-ranging snake are presently unknown.
Conservation Actions (see Appendix for additional information)
No species-specific conservation measures are required. It has been recorded in protected areas
throughout its range. Field surveys are needed to determine the ecology of this snake and to clarify its
exposure and sensitivity to threats from habitat loss and harvesting.
Credits
Assessor(s): Wangyal, J., Das, A., Ghosh, A. & Limbu, K.
Reviewer(s): Cox, N.A.
Contributor(s): Vogel, G. & Wogan, G.
Facilitator(s) and
Compiler(s):
Tognelli, M.F.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Bibliography
Agrawal, I, Misrty, V.K. and Athreya, R. 2010. A preliminary checklist of the reptiles of the Eaglenest
Wildlife Sanctuary, West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh, India. Russian Journal of Herpetology
17(2): 88-93.
Ao, J.M., David, P., Bordoloi, S. and Ohler, A. 2004. Notes on a collection of Snakes from Nagaland,
Northeast India, with 19 records for this state. Russian Journal of Herpetology. 11(2): 155-162.
Boulenger, G.A. 1890. The Fauna of British India, including Ceylon and Burma. Reptilia and Batrachia.
Taylor and Francis, London.
Boulenger, G.A. 1896. Catalogue of the Snakes in the British Museum, Vol. 3. Taylor and Francis, London.
Chettri, B., Bhupathy, S. and Acharya, B.K. 2011. An overview of the herpetofauna of Sikkim with
emphasis on the elevational distribution pattern and threats and conservation issues. Biodiversity of
Sikkim: Exploring and Conserving a Global Hotspot. Information and Public Relations Department,
Government of Sikkim.
Das, A. 2018. Notes on snakes of the genus Bungarus 2 (Serpentes: Elapidae) from northeast India. In: C.
Sivaperuman and K. Venkataraman (eds), Indian Hotspots, , pp. 23-35. Springer, Singapore.
Günther, A. 1864. The reptiles of British India. Published for the Ray Society by Robert Hardwicke,
London.
IUCN. 2021. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2021-3. Available at: www.iucnredlist.org.
(Accessed: 09 December 2021).
Kästle, W., Rai, K. and Schleich, H.H. 2013. Field guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal. ARCO-Nepal.
Khan, M.S. 2002. A Guide to the Snakes of Pakistan. Edition Chimaira, Frankfurt.
Kuch, U., Kizirian, D., Nguyen, T.Q., Lawson, R., Donnelly, M.A. and Mebs, D. 2005. A new species of krait
(Squamata: Elapidae) from the Red River Systems of northern Vietnam. Copeia 2005(4): 818-833.
Leviton, A.E., Zug, G.R., Vindum, J.J., and Wogan, G.O.U. 2008. Handbook to the dangerously venomous
snakes of Myanmar. California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.
Shah, K.B. 1998. Checklist of the herpetofauna of Nepal with english and vernacular names. NAHSON
Bulletin of the Natural History Society of Nepal, Kathmandu 8(1-4): 26-30.
Shah, K.B. 1999. New records and distribution of some herpetofauna of Nepal. Journal of Natural
History Museum, Kathmandu: 99-111.
Sharma, R.C. 2004. Handbook of Indian Snakes. Akhil Books, New Delhi.
Sharma, S.K., Pandey, D.P., Shah, K.B., Tillack, F., Chappuis, F., Thapa, C.L., Alirol, E. and Kuch, U. 2013.
Venomous Snakes of Nepal. A photographic Guide.
Sivaperuman, C. and Venkataraman, K. (eds). 2018. Indian Hotspots - Vertebrate Faunal Diversity,
Conservation and Management Volume 1. pp. XIV, 397. Springer Singapore.
Smith, M.A. 1943. The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, including the whole of the Indo-Chinese
region. Reptilia and Amphibia Vol. III. Serpentes. Taylor and Francis, London.
Wangyal, J.T. 2011. Snakes and Lizards from the Bumdeling Wildlife Sanctuary Region of Bhutan: Review
of Herpetofaunal Information and New Country Records. Herpetological Review 42: 117-122.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Citation
Wangyal, J., Das, A., Ghosh, A. & Limbu, K. 2021. Bungarus bungaroides. The IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species 2021: e.T192121A2042823. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-
3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
Disclaimer
To make use of this information, please check the Terms of Use.
External Resources
For Supplementary Material, and for Images and External Links to Additional Information, please see the
Red List website.
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
6
Appendix
Habitats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Habitat Season Suitability Major
Importance?
1. Forest -> 1.6. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Lowland Resident Suitable -
1. Forest -> 1.9. Forest - Subtropical/Tropical Moist Montane Resident Suitable -
14. Artificial/Terrestrial -> 14.4. Artificial/Terrestrial - Rural Gardens Resident Marginal -
Use and Trade
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
End Use Local National International
3. Medicine - human & veterinary No No No
Threats
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Impact Score
1. Residential & commercial development -> 1.1.
Housing & urban areas
Ongoing Minority (50%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.2. Ecosystem degradation
2. Agriculture & aquaculture -> 2.1. Annual &
perennial non-timber crops -> 2.1.1. Shifting
agriculture
Ongoing Minority (50%) Unknown Unknown
Stresses: 1. Ecosystem stresses -> 1.1. Ecosystem conversion
Conservation Actions in Place
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
Conservation Action in Place
In-place land/water protection
Occurs in at least one protected area: Yes
Research Needed
(http://www.iucnredlist.org/technical-documents/classification-schemes)
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
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Research Needed
1. Research -> 1.2. Population size, distribution & trends
1. Research -> 1.3. Life history & ecology
1. Research -> 1.4. Harvest, use & livelihoods
1. Research -> 1.5. Threats
Additional Data Fields
Distribution
Lower elevation limit (m): 250
Upper elevation limit (m): 2,100
Population
Population severely fragmented: Unknown
Habitats and Ecology
Continuing decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat: Unknown
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
8
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
ISSN 2307-8235 (online)
IUCN 2021: T192121A2042823
Scope(s): Global
Language: English
The IUCN Red List Partnership
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™ is produced and managed by the IUCN Global Species
Programme, the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) and The IUCN Red List Partnership.
The IUCN Red List Partners are: ABQ BioPark; Arizona State University; BirdLife International; Botanic
Gardens Conservation International; Conservation International; Missouri Botanical Garden;
NatureServe; Re:wild; Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Sapienza University of Rome; Texas A&M University;
and Zoological Society of London.
THE IUCN RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES™
© The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Bungarus bungaroides – published in 2021.
https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2021-3.RLTS.T192121A2042823.en
9
