Bungarus candidus, commonly known as the Malayan krait or blue krait, is a species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of krait, a venomous elapid snake.

Geographic range

It is found in southeast Asia

Southeast Asia

Southeast Asia, South-East Asia, South East Asia or Southeastern Asia is a subregion of Asia, consisting of the countries that are geographically south of China, east of India, west of New Guinea and north of Australia. The region lies on the intersection of geological plates, with heavy seismic...

 from Indochina

Indochina

The Indochinese peninsula, is a region in Southeast Asia. It lies roughly southwest of China, and east of India. The name has its origins in the French, Indochine, as a combination of the names of "China" and "India", and was adopted when French colonizers in Vietnam began expanding their territory...

 south to Java

Java

Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...

 and Bali

Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island located in the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, lying between Java to the west and Lombok to the east...

Description

The Malayan krait may attain a total length of 108 cm (about 3½ feet), with a tail 16 cm (6¼ inches) long.

Dorsally it has a pattern of 27-34 dark brown, black, or bluish black crossbands on the body and tail, which are narrowed and rounded on the sides. The first crossband is continuous with the dark color of the head. The dark crossbands are separated by broad yellowish-white interspaces, which may be spotted with black. Ventrally it is uniform white.

The smooth dorsal scales are arranged in 15 rows, the vertebral row much enlarged. The ventrals are 195-237; the anal plate is entire; and the single (undivided) subcaudals are 37-56.