Snakes in India are mostly non-poisonous. Know them.

1. Common nakes of India
An Introcuctory Workshop
Presentation- A

2. • 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?

3. A member rescuing
a Spectacled Cobra

4. • 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…

5. Awareness programme at
Nehru Zoological Park

6. Why are snakes scary?
• They don’t have limbs like other animals; they slither?
• They move fast!
• They chase you?
• Revenge?
• They bite?

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

8. Venom can kill!
But, how many are actually venomous?

9. How many venomous snakes here?
297 species of
Snakes
231
Non-venomous
66
Venomous
21
Sea Snakes
41
Rare or non-lethal
4
Dangerous snakes

10. The BIG FOUR
Venomous Snakes of India
• Common Krait (Neurotoxin)
• Russell’s Viper (Haemotoxin)
• Spectacled Cobra (Neurotoxin)
• Saw-scaled Viper (Haemotoxin)

11. CommonKrait
Saw-scaled Viper Russell’s
Viper
SpectacledCobra

13. Bronzeback Tree Snake
Dendrelaphis tristis

14. Bronzeback Tree Snake
Dendrelaphis tristis
Description
Long, slender. Dark brown snake with a bronze colour line running
down on its back.
Size
½ feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 5 ½ feet
Diet
Frogs, garden lizards, geckos and small birds.
Habitat
Arboreal. Inhabits low bushes, thorn trees, Indian Date Palms.
Behaviour
Active, fast moving. Diurnal. When nervous, it expands its fore body
showing neon-blue inter-scalar pattern.
Distribution
Southern India. Could be sighted in Mumbai, Bangalore. Not found in
Delhi.

15. Green Vine Snake
Ahaetulla nasuta

16. Green Vine Snake
Ahaetulla nasuta
Description
Long and slender, uniformly green coloured snake with a lemon yellow or white
line bordering ventral scales. Elongated snout, resembling a leaf.
Size
Around 1 feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 6 ½ feet
Diet
Frogs, garden lizards, geckos, small birds and sometime mice.
Habitat
Arboreal. Inhabits low bushes or trees. Rarely on ground.
Behaviour
Diurnal. When provoked, it will open its mouth wide, inflate neck and body to
reveal black & white interscale.
Distribution
Southern India. Could be sighted in Mumbai, Bangalore. Not found in Delhi.

17. Red Sand Boa
Eryx johnii

18. Description
Thick-bodied, reddish brown snake. Head narrower than neck, shovel-
shaped snout.
Size
Less than a feet at birth; adults average 3 feet. Max – 3 ¼ feet
Diet
Rodents, lizards, birds and snakes.
Habitat
Fossorial. Dry /sandy places. Lives in rodent burrows.
Behaviour
Docile. Nocturnal. Constrictor. When attacked , the head is hid
underneath the coils and the tail moved around to make it
resemble the head.
Distribution
Throughout drier zones of the peninsula and the Northwest.
Red Sand Boa
Eryx johnii

19. Common Sand Boa
Gongylophis conicus

20. 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 Boa
Gongylophis conicus

21. Checkered Keelback Water Snake
Xenochrophis piscator

22. 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 Snake
Xenochrophis piscator

23. Rat Snake
Ptyas mucosa

24. 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 Snake
Ptyas mucosa

26. Commonly sighted venomous snakes
• Common Krait
• Russell’s Viper
• Spectacled Cobra
• Saw-scaled Viper

27. Common Krait
Bungarus caeruleus

28. Description
Slender-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.
Size
Around 10 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet.
Diet
Snakes, lizards, rodents and frogs.
Habitat
Termite mounds, rodent burrows, brick piles, rubbles and even in
rolled up carpets. Also near farms and gardens near water.
Behaviour
Nocturnal. Alert and active at night. No warning mechanisms.
Common Krait
Bungarus caeruleus

29. Russell’s Viper
Daboia russelii

30. Description
Stout body, rough in appearance. Triangular head broader than the
neck. Regular oval dark patches from head to tail.
Size
Around 10 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet.
Diet
Rodents, including Indian Gerbil
Habitat
Terrestrial. Open grassy areas, scrub jungles, forest edges, rocky
hillocks, dense thorny hedgerows and in and around Mangroves
(Mumbai coast).
Behaviour
Nocturnal. 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 Viper
Daboia russelii

31. Spectacled Cobra
Naja naja

32. Description
Uniform brown snake. With a ‘U’ shaped mark behind the hood.
Size
Around 12 inches at birth; adults average 3 feet and usually grow
upto 6 ft.
Diet
Frogs, toads, rodents, birds and snakes.
Habitat
Streams, rock piles, fields, rock piles and grain shops.
Behaviour
Active 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 Cobra
Naja naja

33. Saw-scaled Viper
Echis carinatus

34. Description
Short, Stout snake with inter linked lines forming diamond pattern.
Head Scales also keeled.
Size
Around 3 inches at birth; adults average 1 feet and usually grow
upto 2.6 ft.
Diet
Mice, Lizards, Frogs, Scorpions and Insects.
Habitat
Open dry, Sand or Rocky Terrain. Rests under rocks, behind bark, at
the base of thorny plants.
Behaviour
Nocturnal. When alarmed, rubs scales to produce warning sounds.
Readily strikes.
Saw-scaled Viper
Echis carinatus

36. 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

37. • 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

38. • 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?

39. • 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!

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

42. Who am I?

43. Who am I?

44. Who am I?

45. Who am I?

46. Who am I?