Venomous Snakes
India is known as one of the most diversified country of the world. It has biodiversity of various animals and its species, and snakes are part of this biodiversity. The thick, dense and dark forests of India are making appropriate places for venomous snakes in India, as here in these places snakes found abundant prey to feed itself.
Though most of the species of snakes of the world are non-venomous but some species of snake are so much venomous that are much lethal to humans and other animals. The purpose of this article, Top 10 Dangerous Snakes in India, is to aware you about the venomous snake that are lethal to human.
In India, most of the venomous snake are member of “BIG FOUR GROUP”. It includes four species of Indian or spectacled Cobra, the common Krait, the Russell’s viper and the saw-scaled viper. These are most lethal species. You should aware yourself with venomous snakes for your own safety.
In below article, list of Top 10 Dangerous Snakes in India are mentioned below;
Top 10 Dangerous Snakes in India
India has biodiversity, and snakes are an integral part of this diversity. There are numerous species of snakes found in India out of which some are venomous snake species. Some of the most venomous snakes in the world are found in India that includes the king cobra, Indian Krait, and Russell’s viper.
On a side note, India was often referred to as a “snake charmer country” because some artist show their skill to hypnotise snake by using charming/musical instrument called “sanperi“. Let us now check the list of Top 10 Dangerous Snakes in India.
1. King Cobra
First thing came in mind while talking about the dangerous snake in India is the Cobra snake. Cobra is one of the most venomous species of snakes of the world. Cobra don’t need to bite animals or humans, they have the capacity to eject venom through their fangs up to the distance of 2 m. King Cobra is the member of “BIG FOUR GROUP“. Cobra is found mainly in the state of Kerala and the thick forests of India. The colour of the King cobra varies and it can be olive green, black, with yellow pale bands etc.
Cobra has caused numerous fatalities in India and abroad through its venom. This makes King Cobra as the one of the dangerous snakes of India. Cobra is the longest venomous snake in the world. It can grow up to the length of 5.5 metre and have the capacity to raise its head up to 2 m from the ground.
King cobra is so much carnivorous that it even feed small snakes, cobras etc. Reptiles, rodents and many small animals are the favourite feed of King Cobra. Scientific specifications of King Cobra are mentioned below;
Specifications of King Cobra
For detailed Information refer table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Elapidae |
| Genus | Ophiophagus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Ophiophagus Hannah |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Neurotoxin |
| Max. Length | 12 Feet |
| Average Life | 20 Years |
| Average Weight | Upto 9 Kg |
2. Indian Krait
It is a distinct Krait which is found mainly in India and referred as common Krait among public. Numerous species of Krait are found across the world out of which Indian krait is found generally in the jungles and village areas of Indian sub-continent. It is the member of Big Four Snake family. It is infamous across India as it has caused more snake bite to humans. It is much toxic as its venom directly impacts on neurons that may Paralyse body. Its bite can lead to death. They are often brown or black in colour, with lighter crossbands.
Specifications of India Krait
Scientific and other important specifications of Indian Krait are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptile |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Elapidae |
| Genus | Bungarus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Bungarus Caerulus |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Neurotoxin |
| Max. Length | 6.5 Feet |
| Average Life | 10-17 Years |
3. Russell’s Viper
The most infamous snake of India as it has killed more people than any other snake in India. You can found this viper in all areas of the country. Before biting it makes sizzling voice. It is nocturnal and can be found in camping equipment, shoes, socks, beneath bed, automobiles etc. These kind of presence makes it more dangerous than any other snakes. At some places it is commonly referred in local name such as “Daboia” or “Koriwala”.
It releases neuro toxic substance that can damage the central nervous system. Its bite can kill a person. It is so much lethal that can cause internal bleeding, massive pain and a haemorrhage in the brain. The average size of the viper is 4 feet. It is generally of dark brown or brownish-grey.
Specifications of Russell’s Viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Russel’s Viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animal |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Daboia |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Daboia Ruselii |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Hemotoxin |
| Max. Length | 3.3 Feet |
| Average Life | 10-17 Years |
| Look Alike | Indian Rock Python, Common Sand Boa, Saw Scaled Viper |
4. Saw Scaled Viper
You can easily recognise this kind of snake because it has wider head than its neck. It also has large eyes which is easily recognisable. Generally it is found in sandy areas, rocky habitats, soft soil and scrub lands. Lizard, Frogs and various types of reptiles are favourite feeds of saw scaled viper. It is the smallest member of the Big Four Groups hence it is also known as “little Indian Viper“.
Specifications of Russell’s Viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Russel’s Viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Echis |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Echis Carinatus |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Hemotoxin |
| Max. Length | 2.6 Feet |
| Average Life | 23 Years |
5. Spectacled Cobra
This kind of Cobra is found mainly in India it is commonly known as “Nag” in India. It is also known as India Cobra or Spectacled Cobra. It’s Venom is so much toxic and can kill a person with single bite. Rodents, lizards, frogs, insects are the favourite feed of this snake. Spectacled or Indian Cobra is responsible for the highest number of death due to snake bite in the country.
Specifications of Spectacled or Indian Cobra
Scientific and other important specifications of Spectacled or Indian Cobra are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Elapidae |
| Genus | Naja |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Naja Naja |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Neurotoxic |
| Max. Length | 7 Feet |
| Average Life | 9 Years |
6. Pit Vipers
Pit Viper are the endemic species of snakes to the Southwest of India. It is highly venomous snakes of India and generally active in the night and prey in early morning. Apart from this its numerous species are found in Andaman and Nicobar Island, Western Ghats, Malabar Pit and in Sri Lanka. It is endemic to India and Sri Lanka.
Specifications of Pit Viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Pit Viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Trimeserus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Trimeserus Malabaricus |
Other Specifications
| Venom Type | Neurotoxic |
7. Banded Krait
It is one of the largest species of krait snakes found in India. It’s appearance is so much contrasting that you can easily recognise Banded Krait. These Banded Krait have distinctive cross bands in black-yellowish color. It is the most poisonous Krait of the world and India. It is mainly found in underwater and feed itself with coral reefs. It looks pretty slim but it is highly venomous. It comes frequently on the ground to drink fresh water.
Specifications of Banded Krait
Scientific and other important specifications of Banded Krait are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Elapidae |
| Genus | Bungarus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Bungarus Fasciatus |
8. Bamboo Pit Viper
Bamboo Pit Viper is one of the most dangerous snake in India. Bamboo Pit Viper found in the mountainous regions of the Western Ghat. You can found this kind of viper in jungles, grasslands and in some urban areas. It is arboreal and lives in the vines, bushes, and bamboos of India. This viper has special heat sensing system.
Specifications of Bamboo Pit Viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Bamboo Pit Viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Trimeresurus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Trimeresurus Stejnegeri |
9. Hump Nosed Pit Viper
Hump-nosed pit viper is common species of viper in India that is highly active in the early ours morning and night. You can easily found it in thick forest, coffee plantation and hilly regions of India. Snake is also known for its broad triangular head which is even wider than its neck. It is called Hump Nosed because of nose which is somewhat inverted and broad. It has been a reason of a number of fatal deaths in South India.
Specifications of Hump-nosed pit viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Hump-nosed pit viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Viperidae |
| Genus | Hypnale |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Hypnale Hypnale |
10. Andaman Pit Viper
Andaman Pit Viper is a venomous species of Viper which are endemic to Andaman and Nicobar Islands of India. It is commonly known as Mangrove Pit Viper, Shore Pit Viper and Purple Spotted pit viper. It is responsible for the highest number of deaths due to snake bite in Andaman and Nicobar Islands Regions.
Specifications of Andaman Pit Viper
Scientific and other important specifications of Andaman Pit Viper are mentioned below in table;
Scientific Specifications
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Class | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata |
| Family | Vipridae |
| Genus | Trimeresurus |
| Species (Scientific Name) | Trimeresurus Andersonii |
Conclusion
India is rich in biodiversity and snake is a part of biodiversity, we cannot eradicate snake from the environment to protect ourselves as snake plays an important role in maintaining an ecosystem. More ever most of the snakes of the world are non-poisonous. We can treat the person affected by snakes provided we have information of type of snake and bite area.
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