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The one-legged reptiles found in the forests, deserts, underwater, or unknowingly crawling in your backyard. The deadliest unfriendly beings called “snakes”. The addition of the venom to their defense system makes them more deadly.
Dark, dense forests of India provides habitat for almost 300 species of snakes having at least 62 of them being venomous. Let’s make a list of poisonous snakes in India.
Here’s a list of a few of the most venomous snakes in India.
Spitting The Venom
Let’s get into the detail of describing these snakes which are just a few of the dangerous snakes in India. Categorizing these reptiles and discussing them separately opens the actual picture of how different each species is from the rest with its own stunning qualities.
1. Hump-Nosed Viper
Also known as Hypnale, the Hump-Nosed pit Viper is a deadly viper snake native to Sri Lanka and India. It grows up to an immense length of average 40cm (15.7 inches). Its venom can kill you in a few hours. It’s commonly taken as harmless but can cause to stop blood coagulation and also kidney failure. They occur in dense jungles, dry forests and rain forests. They rarely attempt to bite unless tempered.
2. Banded Krait
Branded krait is the most venomous snake found in India. It grows to give a length of approximately 6 feet. It is identified via its black and yellow crossbands. This species is common in Assam and Tripura of India. They are shy and not typically seen. They are considered active at night and can be quite deadly. Their bite can cause stomach ache, dizziness, and diarrhea.
3. Indian Cobra
This cobra is also the most venomous snakes in India. The majority of the snake bites in India are caused by this species. These snakes are hard to identify because of their distinct colors and shapes according to the region. Their venom is deadly because of its attraction towards the nervous system (brain and spine) as it contains destructive neurotoxin.
Also Read: Corn Snake
4. King Cobra
The King Cobra is found mostly in Terai India. Don’t be fooled by its friendly behavior as its bite can deliver up to 400 mg of venom at once. This can give you paralysis as the poison contains neurotoxin affecting the CNS. They feed upon lizards and snakes. Due to its flexibility, it can swallow prey larger than its head. It’s bite can give you drowsiness (desire for sleep) or vertigo (feeling as if objects around are moving).
5. Indian Krait
They are nocturnal (visible during daytime). It’s so deadly that if it bites you while you’re asleep, you may not wake up again without even noticing that it has bitten you. The victim can die due to respiratory disorders in a few hours. Called as Blue Kraits, they are also the most poisonous snakes of India. It’s found in inhabited areas, low scrub jungles as well as fields.
6. Russell’s Viper
Found throughout Indian subcontinent, It’s a deadliest viper in India. Generally they show aggressiveness and occur mostly in populated areas making them more deadly as they can sneak up on you and bite you leaving you in a life threatening situation. They can grow up to 5 ft. It’s venom is deadly if ingested on average to about 45 mg. Pain may last to about 5 weeks due to the bite.
7. Sea Krait
Commonly called Yellow-pit Sea Kraits, these snakes are mostly inhabited in Southeast Asia and majorly in India. These snakes are active at night which is their preferred hunting time. They have a highly toxic venom. They are usually reclusive in behavior. Their bites are also rare but should be treated immediately as are highly toxic.
8. Pit Viper
These are deadly viper snakes in India. The additional extra muscle gives them a capability of pushing the venom out of the glands and spitting it on the victim. Most of these are found in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Most of them are active during day. They have extremely sensitive infrared organs allowing them to picture the minute thermal energy from their prey.
9. Saw-Scaled Vipers
These are found in Central Asia, mostly India. Most snake bites and deaths are caused by this species in India. They have a size of 40 to 75 cm on average. They are primarily crepuscular (active during the twilight hours). Saw-Scaled Vipers can climb to about a height of 2 meters above the ground and also can bury themselves leaving just the head exposed. By dry weight, they produce about 20 mg of venom in each bite and can inject up to 15 mg. Their deadly venom can cause hemorrhage. Victim can vomit blood, produce dark black tarry feces, emit blood in urine.
10. Bamboo Pit Viper
These vipers, mostly known for their color resemblance to bamboo plants, are natives to North Eastern parts of India especially to a large area of Tamil Nadu. These are the common Green Pit vipers. They are found near streams and bamboo groves in forests. They mostly feed on lizards and birds. Their venom can destroy red blood cells (hemotoxic) which can lead to more serious issues like organ degeneration or tissue damage. Their venom can also affect the nervous system.
In A Nutshell
India is a vast country with a lot of forest areas which are home for majority of beings. This vast distribution of the ecosystem also inhabits many of the snake species. Most of the species are not harmful yet can be petted but others can cause serious complications for your health if threatened. Every being in this universe collectively forms a chain of major dependency on each other. Protection of every being is as important as the protection of ourselves. The environment rewards you in response if you respect its existence.
