The banded krait occurs in a variety of habitats including forests, agricultural and coastal areas. It is often encountered close to water bodies. It feeds on other vertebrates including rodents, lizards and other snakes.

Sightings of this elusive elapid are rare. Though it is highly venomous it does not have an aggressive temperament by day. At night it is more active and potentially more dangerous.

The banded krait is easily identified by the alternating black and yellow bands, which are of equal thickness and extend onto the ventral surface. The body is triangular in cross-section.

It ranges from the Indian subcontinent through Burma, Thailand, Indochina and southern China to Malaysia and the main Indonesian islands of Borneo, Java and Sumatra. In Singapore the species is widespread but rare.