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krait

krait

1 9.9
A venomous snake from Southeast Asia that is often brightly marked and usually not aggressive
  • noun
  • /kreɪt/
  • UK
translation icon : krait
  • The group is amphibious: sea kraits come ashore to rest and lay eggs in moist, rocky places along the seashore.
  • yellow sea kraits
  • yellow krait

Examples

  • Pancho slowly extended her hand, and when Elly didn't react, she stroked the krait's head gently with one finger.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • "A concentrate of the venom of the banded krait," Beersley said, holding a test tube up to the light.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • His latest research on sea kraits was supported by the National Geographic Society.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Pancho reached down to her ankle and came up with the glittering blue krait.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • But when she tried to pick Elly up, the krait reared and hissed at her.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • Pancho bent over and scooped Elly up, careful to hold her so the krait couldn't twist and bite her.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • We collected sea kraits at Orchid Island that appeared very thin, and they drank large amounts of freshwater in the laboratory.

    Academic text (2009)
  • During our field investigations at Orchid Island, we noticed that sea kraits were particularly abundant near a freshwater spring we had discovered while snorkeling near the coastline.

    Academic text (2009)
  • Rangers release yellow-lipped sea kraits and yellow sea kraits (L. saintgironsi, orange stripes) after gathering them for a population study in New Caledonia.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The brightly colored krait is known for its striking appearance and potent venom.

Synonyms

Bungarus
vskrait
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of very venomous snakes called kraits that live in South and Southeast Asia

refers to a brightly colored, usually nonaggressive member of that genus
Bungarus fasciatus
vskrait
  • Specialized
9.9

A large venomous snake with black and yellow bands from South and Southeast Asia

is a broader name for a brightly colored, usually nonaggressive member not this species
banded krait
vskrait
  • Indian
9.9

A highly venomous snake from South and Southeast Asia with black and yellow bands

is used more generally for a brightly colored, usually nonaggressive member across the genus

Compounds

banded krait
  • Indian
9.9

A highly venomous snake from South and Southeast Asia with black and yellow bands

How Dangerous

king cobra
  • Indian
1 4.9
krait
  • UK
1 9.9
copperhead
  • US
5 8.5
corn snake
  • US
1 6.0
garter snake
  • US
4 3.8

Surface Forms

krait singular
kraits plural

Etymology

The word krait came into English from a South Asian name, the Hindi/Urdu krait, used for a brightly banded, highly venomous snake. That's why krait today means that specific venomous 'snake' found in southeast Asia.