What is an Indian krait snake?

Also known as the "common krait," the Indian krait snake is a member of the Elapidae family native to India and other Asian countries. The 3-foot venomous species ranges from gray to black in color and bears horizontal white stripes across its body.

The species is found in a variety of habitats, including open hills and plains, dense forests and vegetation, agricultural lands, old trees, caves, near bodies of water, and in areas with abundant rodents. The snake is nocturnal and hides in mud holes or under piles of debris during the day. The common krait is India's most feared and most venomous snake, with attacks on humans widely reported and a mortality rate of 7 percent.