Snakes of Kerala: Common species people encounter, how to identify them and safety tips

Kerala is famous for its green forests, serene rivers, mist-filled mountains, and wide biodiversity. However, besides all these, there lies yet another feature about the state’s natural life, that is, its fascinating snake fauna. Due to the state’s tropical weather conditions and its presence amidst the Western Ghats, there exist diverse types of snakes in Kerala. While some snakes found in Kerala are non-venomous like rat snakes and vine snakes, others are medically significant such as cobras, kraits, and vipers.According to a research by Springer Nature there are approximately over 100 types of snakes in Kerala, almost 35 of which are venomous, making Kerala one of India's snake-rich states.According to the Handbook on Snakes of Kerala prepared by the Kerala State Biodiversity Board, the spectacled cobra is one of the common species of venomous snakes in Kerala. Spectacled cobra is mostly recognized with the hood that it makes when it senses any danger to itself and also the spectacle-like design on that hood. Spectacled cobra has a yellow, dark brown, or black body and mostly seen in places where there are fields and rodent population in large numbers. The snake is less known to attack and rather avoids contact with human beings, raising its hood just for showing warnings when it senses any danger to it.Among the various species of snakes found in Kerala, the common krait holds great significance due to its medical importance and can be easily identified by its glossy, black or bluish-black body with thin, white stripes. Since the krait is nocturnal, people in rural areas or homes are likely to encounter it when it preys on rats during the rainy season. The main risk posed by a krait bite is that victims might not feel much pain or swelling, causing them to ignore the danger.The Russell’s viper is among the commonest snakes that cause severe snakebite cases, according to a hospital-based study carried out in North Kerala. Its appearance is highly recognizable, with a stout body covered with a chain-like pattern of oval-shaped dark brown spots that cover its back. It can be found in farms, plantations, thorny scrub areas, and open grassland regions. The snake prefers to stay camouflaged and hardly moves once it detects danger. Thus, it often ends up in situations where it comes across people working in the same field. Its venom is powerful and, therefore, it requires much attention from anyone.A number of studies conducted in Kerala have found the hump-nosed pit viper to be an extremely significant species, responsible for many of the cases of snakebites, especially those located near the Western Ghats. It is smaller than the cobras and Russell’s vipers, distinguished by its slightly raised snout, triangular head and brown or reddish-brown color that perfectly helps it blend with dry leaves on the ground. Due to its exceptional camouflage, the hump-nosed pit viper is rarely spotted in time by trekkers and plantation workers. Moreover, it was noted that standard antivenom for India’s Big Four does not apply to it.Among the many beautiful creatures found in the state of Kerala, the green vine snake is one of the best known for its beauty. It is easy to spot the green vine snake thanks to its long thin body, sharp nose, and vibrant green color which helps it blend in with the surroundings. This species can typically be seen in gardens, jungles, and other places where there is a lot of shrubbery, preying on lizards, frogs, and other small animals. Though it appears fearsome with its staring eyes, the green vine snake is merely mildly venomous.The Indian rat snake is one of the most common species of snake that are found in Kerala and is confused with the cobra owing to their large body size and habit of lifting the front half of their body when frightened. This snake has a brownish, olive, gray, or black-colored body and is a quick-moving non-poisonous species. As per wildlife specialists, these rat snakes are extremely helpful for farmers since they help in maintaining control over rodent populations. Unlike cobras, these snakes cannot extend their necks like a hood and are therefore not dangerous at all.King cobra, which is the largest species of all the venomous snakes, is one of the important reptiles seen in Western Ghats of Kerala. Some of the main characteristics of king cobra include their huge body, slender hood, olive-green, brown, or black color with pale bands. People hardly ever come across the animal because it never attacks humans; rather, it tries to evade them. Disclaimer: This article is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Snake identification can be difficult, and many species may appear similar to untrained observers.