IFS Officer’s Video of Rare and Highly Venomous Banded Krait Goes Viral on Social Media

New Delhi: A video of a rare and highly venomous banded krait, captured during night patrol, has gone viral on social media after being shared by Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer Parveen Kaswan. The footage, posted on X (formerly Twitter), quickly drew widespread attention, with viewers fascinated by the snake’s striking appearance.

The short clip shows the banded krait swimming through dark, flowing water, its distinctive black and yellow bands clearly visible under torchlight. The visually arresting scene rapidly gained traction online, crossing 177,000 views within a short span and prompting a flood of reactions from social media users.

Those beautiful bands. Banded krait is highly venomous snake found in India. Found this randomly during night patrolling. How nature provided them so distinct bands !! pic.twitter.com/it2s1vf8yY

— Parveen Kaswan, IFS (@ParveenKaswan) December 28, 2025

Sharing the video, Kaswan described the encounter as an unexpected moment during routine night patrolling. He noted that the banded krait is among the most venomous snakes found in India and that the sighting was accidental. Reflecting on the snake’s appearance, he remarked on nature’s ability to create such vivid and contrasting patterns.

The banded krait is a nocturnal species, which explains why sightings typically occur during nighttime activities such as forest patrols. Despite being widely distributed across parts of India, encounters with the snake are considered relatively rare.

Social media users responded with a mix of admiration, humour and personal experiences. While some praised the snake’s beauty and the quality of the footage, others shared unsettling encounters with the species, describing moments of fear upon seeing it up close. A few users also drew comparisons between the snake’s natural patterns and human-made designs, noting the perfection of its markings.

The banded krait (Bungarus fasciatus) is known for its broad black and pale yellow bands, stout body and relatively small head. Its venom is a powerful neurotoxin that affects the nervous system and can lead to muscle paralysis, respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death. Although generally calm and non-aggressive, the snake can become dangerous if provoked.

The species is commonly found in low-lying areas, forests, wetlands and mangrove regions, where it feeds on other snakes, frogs, fish and rodents. Its range extends across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and parts of southern China.

Wildlife experts caution that despite its docile behaviour, the banded krait poses a serious risk to humans, particularly at night when it is most active. People living or working in areas within its habitat are advised to remain vigilant during nocturnal activities.