Snakebite Case in India: King Cobra to Russell's Viper-4 Most Venomous, Deadly Snakes in Kerala Snakes

Kerala is home to more than 100 types of snakes, from the harmless water snake to the mighty King Cobra. But there are four you really need to watch out for. Here's a quick guide on them.

For some, just the sight of a snake is terrifying. Others can't even look at them, they find them so repulsive. And then there are the daredevils who'll pick one up and maybe even try to kiss it. But when it comes to these reptiles, what you really need is a mix of common sense and caution.

So, are all snakes as dangerous as people think? The straight answer is no. Kerala's ecosystem has over 100 snake species, from the common water snake to the King Cobra. Let's get to know the four you absolutely must be careful about.

KING COBRA

Just like its name suggests, this one is the king of snakes. It's one of the world's largest venomous snakes, and some of them can grow up to a massive 5.5 metres long. You'll usually find them in evergreen forests, but lately, the king has been making its presence felt in areas near forests too. The female snake builds a nest with dry leaves to lay and incubate her eggs. Their main diet is other smaller snakes. Thankfully, reports of them attacking humans are quite rare.

What to do if bitten:

Its venom attacks the nervous system, so you must rush the person to a hospital immediately.

SPECTACLED COBRA

It has a triangular head with a rounded tip and a distinct spectacle-like mark on the back of its wide hood. When it spreads its hood, even the bravest person might feel a little shaky. Poets who wrote about the 'beauty of snakes' were probably looking at a cobra, lazily standing with its hood flared.

But don't let its beauty fool you. These snakes get provoked very easily. When they feel scared, they hiss to defend themselves. The Spectacled Cobra is part of the 'Big Four' group of deadly snakes, and every year, many people die from its bite. Here's a fun fact: if a cobra is focused on something in front of it, it won't notice any disturbance from behind. This is the weakness that daredevils (not a good idea!) exploit when they try to kiss the back of its hood.

What to do if bitten:

These snakes are extremely dangerous. Get the person to a hospital as fast as you can.

COMMON KRAIT

Known by many local names like Shankhuvarayan, Valavalappan, and Kettuvalayan, the Common Krait has a fearsome reputation. It's ranked among the four most dangerous snakes in India. You can find this snake almost anywhere—not just in forests, but also in bushes and swamps. It's so venomous that even a tiny amount of its venom can be fatal. This deadly snake also has a few harmless lookalikes, which can be confusing.

These include the harmless Common Wolf Snake, the Travancore Wolf Snake, and the Bridal Snake. You can tell the real, dangerous Krait apart by looking closely at the pattern of its stripes and the shape of its head.

What to do if bitten:

If bitten, you must go to a hospital that has anti-venom facilities.

RUSSELL'S VIPER

In some places, it's called Chenathandan, in others, Vattakoora. Some call it Mandali or Manjatti. Whatever you call it, this snake is extremely aggressive and highly venomous.

Its body has a distinct pattern resembling the designs on a yam stem. It has a triangular head with pointed scales at the front. The head shape and body markings are the main ways to identify it. This snake is a master of camouflage. If it's lying on dry leaves or between rocks, you might not even see it until it's too late and you've been bitten. It's that dangerous and can strike lightning-fast in any direction.

This super-dangerous viper also has some harmless lookalikes. One is the Common Sand Boa and the Whitaker's Boa, which are non-venomous. The other is our very own Indian Rock Python. Since it's not venomous, the python isn't on the 'most dangerous' list. But here's the catch: some Russell's Vipers these days are so large they can be mistaken for pythons. If you make that mistake and try to handle one, it's game over. It's like getting a one-way ticket to the afterlife.

What to do if bitten:

Unlike other snakes, the Russell's Viper venom attacks the blood system. It might take a while for serious symptoms to appear, but the complications are severe. A person can die even after receiving all the necessary treatment. Any delay in starting treatment is also a huge problem.