Poisonous Snakes on Campus
There are only 6 species of snakes amongst the
270 species found in India that are both deadly and common. Of these,
three species are found on the University of Pune campus. They are the Binocellate
Cobra, the Common Krait and the Russels's Viper. This
page lists a few simple ways of identifying these three species. I hope
to add more pictures soon.
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Binocellate Cobra (Naja naja):This
snake has a distinct U-shaped marking behind its head (the spectacle
mark). The ribs just below the head are distinctly elongated compared to
the rest of the body. The neck region is dilatable. When cornered, it invariably
raises its hood to intimidate the attacker. This snake can grow to
a maximum length of 1.8 m This snake is often confused with the non-poisonous
Ratsnake (Pytas mucosus) pictured below.
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Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus):
This snake has a row of enlarged hexagonal scales on its dorsal side running
along the entire length of its body. This snake can grow to about 1.5 m
in length. It has a number of paired white colored cross bars which
disappear towards the anterior part of the body. It is usually active at
night. The snake is usually steel-blue or black in color.
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Russels's Viper (Vipera russelli):This
snake when full grown is unmistakable. It has a thick body like a python
(often upto 150 m.m. thick) with dark brown diamond shaped markings that
run in three rows. When threathened it coils up and hisses loudly and continuously.
The head is triangular in shape. If grows to a maximum length of about
1.6 m This snake is quite common on the IUCAA campus. This snake is usually
brownish in color.
The notes given above are merely suggestive. Body
color varies widely among snakes of the same species and should not
be used as an aid to identification. Confirmed identification of snakes
can only be done by counting scales on its body very carefully. The only really useful book for doing this is Smith (1943). Every
unidentified snake should be treated as carefully as if it is a poisonous
snake. Do not handle any snake which you have not previously confirmed
to be non-poisonous.
References
Smith M.A., The Fauna of British India, Ceylon and Burma, including the whole of the Indo Chinese sub-region. Reptilia and Ambhibia Vol. 3, reprinted by Natraj Publishers, 1943, Rs. 250
| URL: http://www-int.stsci.edu/~yogesh/wildlife/poisonous.shtml |
Last modified on: Tue Apr 5 15:43:48 2005