Common Myths About Snakes in India
Uncover the Truth behind the Common Myths about Snakes in India. Learn how to actually Stay Safe around them.
Overview of Snakes in India
India has more than 330 species of snakes and the number is constantly increasing with new discoveries every year. Recently Rakhine keelback & Kachin hills keelback were recorded in Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh by scientists from Wildlife Institute of India. At present we have around 60+ venomous, 40+ mildly-venomous and 230+ non-venomous species of snakes in India.
The Big 4 Snakes of India
In our country the vast majority of fatal Snake bites are attributed to the big four - Spectacled Cobra, Common Krait, Russell’s Viper, and Saw-scaled Viper. And it occurs majorly due to their close proximity to human settlements and agricultural fields. While King Cobras being the longest venomous snake in the world (are forest dwellers) have less contact with people, hence reducing the risk of human lives.
Snakes – The Misunderstood Species
I was raised in the Tribal land amidst dense forests of Chhattisgarh in Kondagaon, Bastar. While growing up watching wildlife closely, one thing became clear that – Animals rarely behave the way Bollywood movies show us. And like every other species snakes too are misunderstood.
For centuries, false stories about snakes have passed on from generation to generation and due to this ignorance every snake is misinterpreted or treated like a threat to mankind. So in this blog I wanted to share the top 5 myths about snakes and the truth behind it.
Myth 1 – Snakes have Nagmani
A common belief that snakes possess a precious glowing gem called Nagmani in their skull that grants wealth, power and prosperity to whomsoever human that steals or kills it. Anatomically it’s irrelevant and only a mythological folklore.
Myth 2 – Snakes drink Milk
Snakes neither produce or are fond of milk as portrayed in movies and as festival ritual placed at homes in a bowl during Nag Panchami. They might drink only if they are dehydrated when placed in front else they won’t ever.
Myth 3 – Snakes take Revenge
As a Kid, we all heard the story that if a snake is killed by humans its partner comes and kills the whole family of that person. A great movie plot but not true. Actually by random coincidence, another snake was found near the kill and this eventually became a belief that its mate has come to find the killer.
Myth 4 – Venomous Snakes are Easily Identified
A very dangerous mis-conception prevails that bright colours, triangular head, vertical pupil, aggression and fast moving characteristics of a snake tells that it’s highly Venomous. This is not at all true and never try to approach or catch hold of a snake which doesn’t appear such.
Always keep a safe distance and take your time to visually identify its pattern, scale arrangement, body proportions, behaviour and geographical location. Better take a photograph if possible and send it to an expert to identify. Call a snake handler to catch it and release it in the jungles.
Myth 5 – Home Remedies, Village Healers or Magicians can cure Snake Bite
We all have heard or watched in movies that people using herbal pastes, betel-leaves, venom-distribution transfer technique with plates, cutting, sucking and splitting the blood from snake bite spot, rituals, and magician’s chants can neutralize the venom. And none of this is true. The only treatment for snake bite is the anti-venom which is available in every government hospital.
Final Words
A myth doesn’t just make a good story or to disguise others. It’s a matter of life and death, for both humans and snakes. The best way to handle them is to – Keep a safe distance, Do not approach it, Do not handle it, Give them an escape route or Call a snake handler to rescue.
In the end, let’s not forget that Snakes keep balance of Agri-ecosystem by preying on rodents protecting crops and reducing the risk of diseases that comes with rat infestations. Snakes have zero interest to prey on humans, and they bite defensively not offensively as a last resort.