Description: The common krait is a neurotoxic species responsible for many deaths in Sri Lanka. It is arguably the most lethal species due to the delayed onset of symptoms. The local name for the snake is "Magamaruwa", which means "the snake that causes you to die on the road". When symptoms appear and people head for the hospital, they are often in respiratory arrest before they arrive. Adequate pre-hospital care is essentially non-existent throughout the country.
![magamaruwa.jpg [191 Kb]](/libraries/download/5212/magamaruwa.jpg)
