Types of Snakes

India provides a conducive habitat for snakes due to its varied climate, topography, and vegetation. India is home to a diverse array of snake species. These are the four venomous snake species found in India which are responsible for the greatest number of human snake bites in India known as Big four. These are Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, Common Krait, Indian saw-scaled Viper. There are also green snakes found in India which are venomous and green in appearance. The major green snakes found in India are Green Vine Snake, Oriental Whip Snake, Green Keelback, Green Cat Snake. Recently, a new venomous green snake was discovered from Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It was named Trimeresurus mayaae or Maya’s Pit viper. According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for a large proportion (almost 50%) of global snakebite deaths each year. Snakebites can cause a range of health complications, from mild symptoms such as pain and swelling to severe envenomation that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. The Indian government took many steps to address the issue of snakebites such as National programme for prevention and control of snakebites, setting up of a ICMR task force, boosting antivenome production etc. By prioritizing snakebite as a public health priority, investing in comprehensive prevention and treatment measures, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, India can effectively mitigate the impact of snakebites and ensure the well-being of both humans and snakes in its natural landscapes.

India is home to a diverse array of snake species. History of snakes in India is deeply intertwined with India’s mythology, culture, and traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda. Snakes are often associated with various deities and cosmic forces in Hinduism, such as Lord Shiva, who is depicted wearing a snake around his neck as a symbol of power and eternity. Nag Devta, is worshipped in many parts of India, and snake worship rituals (Nag Panchami) are performed to seek protection from snakebites and to appease the serpent gods. Folk remedies, rituals, and taboos related to snakes are prevalent in rural areas, where encounters with snakes are common.

Snakes are an integral part of India's rich biodiversity, with the country being home to a diverse array of snake species. Snakes play crucial ecological roles as predators, helping control rodent populations and maintaining ecosystem balance. Recently in April 2024, a fossil of one of the largest snakes that existed in India was discovered in Gujarat which has been named as Vasuki indicus.

• Big Four : These are the four venomous snake species found in India which are responsible for the greatest number of human snake bites in the Indian subcontinent which are medically significant.
  • Indian cobra (Naja naja) : Indian cobras are venomous snakes of black or brown color with a distinctive hood that they spread when threatened. These are found throughout the Indian subcontinent, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. These are the only snakes which build nests as they are oviparous (lay eggs) and hence build nests to lay the eggs until hatched.
  • Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii) : It is a large snake with a thick body covered in keeled scales. It is distributed across South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and parts of Southeast Asia.
  • Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus) : It is a glossy black or bluish-black colored snake with white bands. It is also distributed across South Asia.
  • Indian saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) : It is small snake with a stout body and a distinctive saw-like ridge along its back, formed by enlarged scales.
• Green snakes : Green snakes refer to various snake species which are green in their appearance.
  • Green Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta) : It is an arboreal snake found in South East Asia that has a slender body and is known for its bright green coloration.
  • Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina) : It has a slender body and is arboreal, often seen in trees and bushes. It is found in Western Ghats.
  • Green Keelback (Macropisthodon plumbicolor) : It is a mildly venomous colubrid snake found in India. It has greenish-brown coloration with distinctive keeled scales.
  • Green Cat Snake (Boiga cyanea) :It is a mildly venomous snake which has greenish coloration with black markings.
  • Recently, a new venomous green snake was discovered from Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It was named Trimeresurus mayaae or Maya’s Pit viper.

• It is common in Meghalaya, Mizoram and Assam
• It is a 750 mm long snake.
• It is similar in appearance to Pope’s Pit Viper but the eye color is different.
• It has a heat sensitive pit and two movable flangs.
• Pit Vipers are responsible for most snakebites in India.

• Recently, in February,2023, a Kerala forest report stated that human deaths due to snakebites in India are nearly double than the deaths due to wild elephants.
• According to estimates by the World Health Organization (WHO), India accounts for a large proportion (almost 50%) of global snakebite deaths each year
• The majority of snakebite deaths in India are caused by the bites of the "Big Four" venomous snake species.
• Snakebite is reconised as a neglected tropical disease by WHO in 2017 and in 2019 it set a target to reduce the global burden of snakebite by 50% by 2030.

• Snakebites can cause a range of health complications, from mild symptoms such as pain and swelling to severe venomation that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death.
• Snakebites contribute to a significant burden of mortality and morbidity worldwide, particularly in rural and agricultural communities where access to healthcare facilities and antivenom treatment is limited.
• Snakebites can also have psychosocial impacts on individuals and communities, including fear, anxiety, and stigma associated with snake encounters.

• National programme for prevention and control of snakebites
  • It was launched by Ministry of Health and Farmers Welfare in 2021.
  • The target of this initiative is to reduce the cases of snakebites in India by 50% by 2030.
  • Key areas of the initiative include generating awareness, strengthening the health system, intersectoral coordination and promoting research in the area.
• ICMR task force
  • Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) set up a task force in 2022 to conduct study on epidemiology, clinical cure and impact of snakebites on social and economical conditions in India.
• Antivenome production
  • The Government of India supports the production and distribution of antivenom, the primary treatment for snakebites.
  • Snake antivenomes are also included in the WHO list of essential medicines.
  • Synthetic venom : Recently, in February 2024, a synthetic human antibody was developed by Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to neutralise lethal snakebite toxin.
• Community Awareness Programs:
  • Campaigns are organized to educate communities about snakebite prevention, first aid measures, and the importance of seeking timely medical attention.
• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)’s guidelines on human-wildlife conflict
  • In 2021, MoEFCC released specific guidelines to address human-wildlife conflict. It lists 10 wildlife species and snakes are one of them.

The snakes play a vital role in India's ecosystem, but their presence also poses risks to human health and safety due to the potential for snakebites. However, snakebite remains a significant public health challenge in India, particularly in rural and remote areas. By prioritizing snakebite as a public health priority, investing in comprehensive prevention and treatment measures, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders, India can effectively mitigate the impact of snakebites and ensure the well-being of both humans and snakes.