CHENNAI: Monsoon flushes out snakes from their waterlogged hideouts in the city, increasing chances of your running into these creatures. Inundation also forces snakes to find refuge in evacuated homes, making man-animal conflict inevitable as the waters recede and people move back to their homes.
Snake rescuers in the city claim the surge in rescue calls are indicative of this phenomenon during and after the monsoon. “We rescued over 100 snakes in the aftermath of the Chennai floods of 2015,” said Maheshwaran Govender, one of the few trained snake rescuers in the city. While awareness about snake rescues is on the rise, many reptiles that find their way into houses are killed or handled by amateurs who risk their own lives and the lives of those around them in the name of ‘relocating’ the snake.
Express caught up with renowned herpetologist Gowri Shankar to talk about snakes in the city on the sidelines of his two-day snake handling workshop in the city.
What are the most common snakes in the city ?
Cobras and Rat snakes are the most common snakes that are found in Chennai and they are easily confused for the other. Russell’s Vipers and Kraits are found in certain pockets of the city.
What’s the best way to handle a snake that’s entered your property?
Isolating the snake is key. If it is curled up in a room, lock it up and wait for rescuers to arrive. Don’t poke it or try chasing it out. It will only put the snake under stress and force it to view you as a threat.
What are the five things one should not do when bitten by a snake?
Do not tie tourniquets to stop blood flow ( It doesn’t work); do not try to suck out the poison ( it could lead to two fatalities instead of one); do not cut the wound ( this doesn’t drain the poison out either); don’t eat anything after a snake bite ( you could choke on it); don’t consume alcohol (there are no benefits whatsoever).
What’s the best way public can contribute to reducing snake bite fatalities?
People should ensure hospitals around them have antivenin. Most hospitals don’t stock up and that could cost a victim dearly. Repeated public pressure to keep antivenin can save many lives.
Are myths associated with snake bites common?
Yes. Its surprising how many people still think only the ‘two dot’ snake bite mark is fatal. Many school books still carry this. Even a scratch by the fang can be fatal. Some people still believe only if the snake twists to the right after biting you, venom has been injected. These misconceptions claim many lives.