The cover of Herpetological Review 56(4) features a Red River Krait (Bungarus slowinskii), a rarely seen, highly venomous elapid snake that was photographed by Rupert Grassby-Lewis, a British-born researcher who has spent much of his life working with the snakes in southeast Asia. This striking black-and-white banded krait is known from parts of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand, where it occurs in evergreen rainforest habitats from around 400 to 1,800 meters above sea level. Like other kraits, B. slowinskii is secretive and nocturnal, and its ecology, behavior, and natural history remain poorly documented. Although its conservation status is not well established, continued habitat loss and the species’ apparent rarity highlight the importance of documenting populations, habitat associations, and natural history throughout its range. Read the full description “About Our Cover” at the link below.
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