Common nakes of India An Introcuctory Workshop

Presentation- A

• The Friends of Snakes Society (FOS) is Non-government organization founded by Late Shri. Rajkumar Kanuri in 1995, working for the conservation of snakes and wildlife.

• Since its inception, the organization has been rescuing snakes that enter human habitation and relocating them to the wild.

• Currently, the organization has over hundred active members, working in ten districts, in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.

• In 2013 alone, the organization rescued around 2600 snakes from the twin cities and relocated them to different areas, away from human beings.

Who are we?

A member rescuing a Spectacled Cobra

• The organization also conducts awareness programmes and workshops to create awareness about snakes and their role in having a balanced ecosystem.

• Since 1992 (even before formal registration), we have been conducting awareness programmes on snakes, importance of wildlife protection and biodiversity preservation.

• In 2013, around 300 awareness programmes were given at different schools, colleges, companies and other institutions, sensitizing over 3 lakh individuals.

And…

Awareness programme at Nehru Zoological Park

Why are snakes scary?

• They don’t have limbs like other animals; they slither?

• They move fast!

• They chase you?

• Revenge?

• They bite?

There are so many other animals and insects that can bite. But why do we have such repulsive fear of snakes?

Venom can kill!

But, how many are actually venomous?

How many venomous snakes here?

297 species of Snakes

231

Non-venomous

66

Venomous

21

Sea Snakes

41

Rare or non-lethal

4Dangerous snakes

The BIG FOUR Venomous Snakes of India

• Common Krait (Neurotoxin)

• Russell’s Viper (Haemotoxin)

• Spectacled Cobra (Neurotoxin)

• Saw-scaled Viper (Haemotoxin)

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Bronzeback Tree SnakeDendrelaphis tristis

Bronzeback Tree SnakeDendrelaphis tristis

DescriptionLong, slender. Dark brown snake with a bronze colour line running

down on its back.

Size½ feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 5 ½ feet

DietFrogs, garden lizards, geckos and small birds.

HabitatArboreal. Inhabits low bushes, thorn trees, Indian Date Palms.

BehaviourActive, fast moving. Diurnal. When nervous, it expands its fore body

showing neon-blue inter-scalar pattern.

DistributionSouthern India. Could be sighted in Mumbai, Bangalore. Not found in

Delhi.

Green Vine SnakeAhaetulla nasuta

Green Vine SnakeAhaetulla nasuta

DescriptionLong and slender, uniformly green coloured snake with a lemon yellow or white

line bordering ventral scales. Elongated snout, resembling a leaf.

SizeAround 1 feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 6 ½ feet

DietFrogs, garden lizards, geckos, small birds and sometime mice.

HabitatArboreal. Inhabits low bushes or trees. Rarely on ground.

BehaviourDiurnal. When provoked, it will open its mouth wide, inflate neck and body to

reveal black & white interscale.

DistributionSouthern India. Could be sighted in Mumbai, Bangalore. Not found in Delhi.

Red Sand BoaEryx johnii

DescriptionThick-bodied, reddish brown snake. Head narrower than neck, shovel-

shaped snout.

SizeLess than a feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 3 ¼ feet

DietRodents, lizards, birds and snakes.

HabitatFossorial. Dry /sandy places. Lives in rodent burrows.

BehaviourDocile. Nocturnal. Constrictor. When attacked , the head is hid

underneath the coils and the tail moved around to make it resemble the head.

DistributionThroughout drier zones of the peninsula and the Northwest.

Red Sand BoaEryx johnii

Common Sand BoaGongylophis conicus

Description

Short and thick-bodied snake. Scales of the head and tail strongly keeled. Colour varies, usually light brown with dark irregular patches throughout the dorsal side.

Size

Around 5 inches at birth; adults average 1 ½ feet. Max – 2 ½ feet.

Diet

Rodents, lizards, birds, snakes and sometimes insects.

Habitat

Fossorial. Dry /sandy places. Lives in rodent burrows.

Behaviour

Nocturnal. Constrictor. Actively hunts in rodent borrows. Ambush hunter - buries itself till the prey is within the striking distance. Flattens its body and strikes like a viper, when provoked.

Distribution

Throughout India

Common Sand BoaGongylophis conicus

Checkered Keelback Water SnakeXenochrophis piscator

Description

Keeled scales. Green, brown or grey body with black checkered pattern.

Size

5 to 9 inches at birth; adults average 2 feet. Max – 5 ½ feet

Diet

Fish, frogs. Occasionally rodents and birds.

Habitat

Aquatic. Found in and around water bodies and paddy fields.

Behaviour

Active by day and night. Readily bites when provoked. When excited, flattens the head and extends the neck ribs, forming a hood, not as dramatic as a Cobra but sufficient enough to confuse onlookers.

Distribution

Throughout India, except Andaman and Nicobar

Checkered Keelback Water SnakeXenochrophis piscator

Rat SnakePtyas mucosa

Description

Varies greatly in colour; pale yellow, olive green, brown, gray and even black. Lip scales have vertical black lines. Posterior end usually has black bands, visible till the tail.

Size

More than 1 feet at birth; adults average 6 ½ feet.

Diet

Frogs, toads, lizards, birds, rats, bats and other snakes too.

Habitat

Terrestrial. Wide range – coastal, arid, wet, mountainous, open fields and forests.

Behaviour

Very fast. Active , alert diurnal hunter. Climbs well. They do not constrict; larger prey are subdued by pressing it against the ground. If cornered, will inflate throat and forebody and emit a growl.

Rat SnakePtyas mucosa

Commonly sighted venomous snakes

• Common Krait

• Russell’s Viper

• Spectacled Cobra

• Saw-scaled Viper

Common KraitBungarus caeruleus

DescriptionSlender-bodied snake. Black snake with white bands, usually

appearing in pairs. Bands are usually absent in the anterior portion and become increasingly prominent towards the tail.

SizeAround 10 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet.

DietSnakes, lizards, rodents and frogs.

HabitatTermite mounds, rodent burrows, brick piles, rubbles and even in

rolled up carpets. Also near farms and gardens near water.

BehaviourNocturnal. Alert and active at night. No warning mechanisms.

Common KraitBungarus caeruleus

Russell’s ViperDaboia russelii

DescriptionStout body, rough in appearance. Triangular head broader than the

neck. Regular oval dark patches from head to tail.

SizeAround 10 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet.

DietRodents, including Indian Gerbil

HabitatTerrestrial. Open grassy areas, scrub jungles, forest edges, rocky

hillocks, dense thorny hedgerows and in and around Mangroves (Mumbai coast).

BehaviourNocturnal. When disturbed, hisses as loud as a pressure cooker and

only bites as a last resort. Usually slow, capable of incredible fast strikes. Being heavy bodied ambush hunters, they are mostly likely to stand their ground than other venomous snakes.

Russell’s ViperDaboia russelii

Spectacled CobraNaja naja

DescriptionUniform brown snake. With a ‘U’ shaped mark behind the hood.

SizeAround 12 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet and usually grow

upto 6 ft.

DietFrogs, toads, rodents, birds and snakes.

HabitatStreams, rock piles, fields, rock piles and grain shops.

BehaviourActive by day and night. Fast and alert. Generally shy. Good

swimmer. If alarmed, it would raise the forebody, stretch the ribs to form the hood and hisses.

Spectacled CobraNaja naja

Saw-scaled ViperEchis carinatus

DescriptionShort, Stout snake with inter linked lines forming diamond pattern.

Head Scales also keeled.

SizeAround 3 inches at birth; adults average 1 feet and usually grow

upto 2.6 ft.

DietMice, Lizards, Frogs, Scorpions and Insects.

HabitatOpen dry, Sand or Rocky Terrain. Rests under rocks, behind bark, at

the base of thorny plants.

BehaviourNocturnal. When alarmed, rubs scales to produce warning sounds.

Readily strikes.

Saw-scaled ViperEchis carinatus

First Aid for snake bites

• Reassure the victim (70% of all snakebites are by non venomous snakes and 50% of bites by venomous species are dry bites)

• Immobilize the affected limb (by bandage or clothes to hold splint, but tight arterial compression is not recommended)

• Get to the Hospital

• Tell the doctors the symptoms that are observed

in the patient.

• Remember to do it R.I.G.H.T

• Do not tie a rope or a ligature.

• Never cut the wound open or try sucking the venom out.

• Do not try to run behind or try to kill the snake that bit you.

• Do not waste precious time by approaching quack doctors.

• Do not try to administer antivenom by yourself.

• Do not panic or try to run.

• Do relax

• Do get to the closest hospital

• Do tell the doctor about the snake and the symptoms that you have observed.

Do’s and Dont’s – Dealing with snake bites

• Remember, snakes are equally scared of humans.

• No snake would charge at you.

• Do not run; both might end up running in the same direction.

• Ideally, stand your ground, if you have a snake in front of you. The animal will slowly back off.

• If they are too close to your comfort level, call us at –

+91 83742 33366

When you sight a snake?

• Snakes ideally come near human habitations in search of food – generally rodents. Ensure that the surrounding are maintained clean.

• Appropriate measure must be taken to dispose garbage.

• Do not pile up brick, stones or rubble. Second reason that they come near us is in search of shelter.

• Plants and shrubs must be properly trimmed to maintain visibility.

Keeping snakes at a distance!

Try to identify the following common species that we have discussed already.

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I?

Who am I?