Deadly banded krait spotted during night patrol, IFS officer shares video

Man Encounters Venomous Banded Krait on Night Patrol, Video Goes Viral (Image: @ParveenKaswan/X)

A rare nocturnal wildlife encounter has drawn attention online in India. An Indian Forest Service officer filmed a highly venomous banded krait during night patrol. The video was shared on social media platform X. It offered viewers a striking glimpse of India’s lesser-seen wildlife.

Rare night patrol encounter with banded krait

The sighting occurred during routine night patrolling duty. Parveen Kaswan, an Indian Forest Service officer, recorded the video. He encountered the snake while moving through a forested area. The clip shows the banded krait moving calmly. It slithers across a shallow stream under darkness. Its bold yellow and black bands appear clearly illuminated.

Kaswan highlighted the snake’s unmistakable appearance in his caption. He described the bands as beautiful and distinctive. He noted how nature had endowed the species uniquely. The banded krait is among India’s most venomous snakes. Despite this, it is also visually striking. In the video, the snake appears undisturbed by humans. It glides smoothly between stream banks before disappearing.

The contrasting bands stood out sharply against muddy water. Surrounding grass further highlighted the snake’s markings. The scene made the reptile almost impossible to miss. Viewers noted the calmness of the animal throughout. The footage showed no signs of aggression. Instead, the snake moved with steady confidence.

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

Aposematism and social media reactions

Several viewers pointed out the snake’s colouring significance. They explained it as a classic case of aposematism. This survival strategy warns predators through bright contrasting patterns. The banded krait’s markings signal danger clearly. Such visual warnings reduce predator attacks in nature.

The video quickly received admiration and awe online. Users praised the clarity and rarity of the sighting. One user called it aposematism at its finest. They suggested the stripes advised admiration with caution. Another viewer compared the markings to road dividers. They described the visuals as unreal and striking.

Wildlife duty beyond the viral moment

Beyond aesthetics, the clip highlighted forest officials’ work. Night patrols regularly expose them to dangerous wildlife. Such duties are performed under challenging conditions. Officials often work during odd hours. They safeguard ecosystems while facing unpredictable encounters.

The video served as a reminder of nocturnal biodiversity. It also showed how close wildlife exists to human spaces. Encounters like these rarely reach public view. Social media now provides wider visibility to such moments. The banded krait sighting combined danger, beauty, and awareness. It reinforced respect for wildlife and those protecting it.