Snakes of jammu and kashmir

As we know that there are more than 3300 species of snakes in this world. There are only few places and countries like Antarctica,Iceland,New Zealand, Greenland,Alaska  and Siberia where species of snakes are absent because climatic conditions of these regions are not suitable for them . 

India have favorable climatic conditions for the dwelling of these reptile species. There are about 260  species of snakes in India out of which 60 are venomous, causing for more than 4600 snake bite deaths in India each year .    Cases of snake's bites  are increasing day by day in Jammu and Kashmir 

Human -snake conflicts 

All snakes species are shy and like to spend  most of the time out of human reaches but human- snake conflicts had increased due to the expansion of Human settlements  in India. According to zoologists, Snakes usually invade Human dwellings unintentionally Or in the case of chasing the smell of rodents by using their tongue. 

Ophidiophobia 

It is the abnormal fear of snakes. Almost all of us are phobic to snakes (aren't u , dont lie) . First of all one important thing we should know about snakes is that only 60 species of snakes in our country are  venomous. This means that  other species of snakes bite you are harmless and won't do anything to you but the phobia of snake bites is so much that sometimes a victim dies of cardiac arrest, doesn't die of poison. There is so much great fear in the mind, that should not be there . Hence we need to be aware of such things. 

Species of snakes in Jammu and Kashmir 

Here is the description of different types of snakes found in Jammu and Kashmir. 

1.RUSSELL'S VIPER

Family- VIPERIDAE

Scientific name------ DABOIA RUSSELI

 

Habitat -Plains, Hills, open grasses and bushy areas. But avoid human environment, Marshland, Swamp, Rainforest 

Status -  venomous

Bite symptoms- pain at the site of the bite, swelling, bleeding from gums and urine, signs of blood sputum, B.p and heart rate fall, renal failure, cardiac failure and death may occur 1 to 14 days after the bite. 

2. ROYAL SNAKE

Family - COLUBRIDAE

Scientific name - SPALEROSPHIS DIADEMA 

Habitat- over trees, caves, low shrubs areas. 

 

Status- non venomous 

3.COMMON KRAIT 

Family - ELAPIDAE 

Scientific name - BUNGARUS- CAERULEUS 

Habitat - field, low lying forests, near water resources , even invade human settlements during raining seasons to find dry places. 

 

Status - Venomous 

  

Bite symptoms - bite feels like ant or mosquito bite, minimal amount of inflammation around the bitten area, inability to talk and blindness, face paralysis, death with in 4-5 hours from respiratory paralysis if left untreated. 

 

4.BLACK COBRA 

Family - - ELAPIDAE 

Scientific name - NAJA- MELANDEUCA 

Habitat- moist Sahvanna, Lowland forest, semi aquatic regions. 

Status- venomous 

Bite symptoms - cardiovascular and central nervous symptoms defects 

5.SPECTACLED COBRA 

Family- ElAPIDAE 

Scientific name- NAJA - NAJA 

 

Habitat- Dense forest,plains ,agricultural land,rocky terrain,urban wetlands and even in heavily populated urban areas,villages,city atmosphere and from sea level to 6600 ft in altitude.

Symptoms- neuro-toxic activity and cardiovascular problems, paralysis muscles 

6.COMMON WOLF SNAKE 

Family -COLUBRIDAE 

Scientific name -LYCODON CAPUCINUS 

 

Habitat - limestone hills, concrete, walking porches. 

Status- Non-venomous 

7.CHECKERED KEELBACK SNAKE

Family-COLUBRIDAE

Scientific  name -XENOCHROPHIS

 PISCATOR 

Habitat- Drains, freshwater lakes, River and water sources 

Status- Non-venomous 

 

8.INDIAN PYTHON

Family-PYTHONIDAE

 

Scientific name- PHYTHON MOLUSUS

 Habitat- Grassland, swamps , marshes, rocky foothills, forest and river Valley, area with permanent sources of water. 

Status - Non venomous but still can kill humans  with it large size by using mascular contraction 

9.LEVANTINE SNAKE

Family- VIPERIDAE 

Scientific name - MACROVIPERA-LEBATINUS

Habitat- short trees, shrubs and herbs with Thick shade particularly in mountains and hills 

Status- Venomous 

Bite  symptoms- pain, rapid swelling, breathing problem, unknown taste in the mouth, tingling in the various part, change in heart rate , dizziness and Nausea

10.HIMALAYAN PIT VIPER 

Family- VIPERIDAE 

Scientific name- GLOYDIUS HIMALAYAN 

Habitat- High-hills, mountains, rocky places, crevices, fallen leaves, Bigstone cracks 

Status -Venomous

Bite symptoms- intense local pain, swelling within 2 to 3 days 

11.COMMON RAT SNAKE 

Family- COLUBRIDAE

 

Scientific name- ZEMENIS LOGISSIMISIS

Habitat- Forest surrounded by grasslands 

Status- Non-venomous

12.INDIAN CAT SNAKE

Family-COLUBRIDAE

Scientific name - Boiga Trigonata

Habitat -varies from higher hill to plain areas 

 

Status - Mild venomous thats not dangerous to human 

13.COMMON SAND BOA

Family- BOIDAE 

Scientific name-  ERYX-JOHNII

Habitat- dry, semi-desert, plain areas, rocky dry foothill, loose soil and live underground.

Status- Non-venomous

14.COMMON TRINKET SNAKE

Family -COLUBRIDAE

Scientific name - COELOGNATHUS LETENUS 

 

Habitat- Lowland areas, old trees, brick mounds, old houses, medium to dense vegetation. 

Status -Non-venomous

All these snakes are not venomous but due lack of awareness many people underestimate bite, causing their death. Now many antivenom medicines and serums are developed to decrease mortality rate cause by snake's fatal bites. In Hindu as well as in Dogra culture these creatures  are worshipped as Gods and are part of religious stories. 

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