ScienceSeptember 2, 2026

krait

KRAYT

Definition

A highly venomous type of elapid snake found in India and Southeast Asia, characterized by its neurotoxic venom.

Etymology

The word is derived from the Hindi name 'karait' for the common krait, which likely traces back to the Sanskrit word 'kāla', meaning black or dark.

In the news

The article references the common krait as one of the 'Big Four' snakes whose venom is used to produce standard Indian antivenom, which the study argues is insufficient for other local snake species.

Same Bite, Same Hospital, Different Odds — Depending on Which Snake Found You

Read the full article ↗

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