Friday, 12 June 2015

Poisonous snakes in Kerala

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Poisonous snakes in Kerala



Common poisonous snakes found in Kerala

All the major venomous species of snakes found in India are also found in Kerala. Kerala is recognized as having a major problem with snakebite. The five common poisonous snakes found in Kerala are Indian Cobra, King Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Saw-scaled viper and Krait. Out of these, Indian Cobra, Russel’s Viper, Saw-scaled viper and Krait are the most dangerous since King Cobra usually habit in dense forests and hence rarely comes in contact with humans.

1. Indian Cobra (Naja naja, Malayalam - Moorkhan)

A highly poisonous snake which grows up to 6’ in length. Cobras can raise the skin on either side of the neck to a hood which makes it different from other snakes. They are usually found in open forests and farmlands. They can be found in abandoned rat holes and termite mounds. Cobras are good swimmers also. They feed on rodents, lizards, frogs etc. The hood on its dorsal side bears a mark which is characteristic of Naja naja. Venom is neurotoxic (affects nervous system and brain).

View pictures of Indian Cobra

2. King Cobra (Naja Hannah, Malayalam – Rajavembala)

This snake is usually found in thick forests and grows to a lenth of 15’. The hood has no markings. Its venom is neurotoxic.

View pictures of King Cobra

3. Russel’s Viper – (Malayalam – mandali, Rakthamandali, manchatti)

Russel’s Vipers kill more people in India than any other snake. It is light brown in color with three longitudinal chains of large spots on the back side of its body. This snake always make a hissing sound. It grows to a length of 4’-5’. These are usually found in farmlands and near human settlements where rodents are available in plenty. They tend to avoid dense forests and humid environments like marshes and rain forests. Venum is haemotoxic (Affects the blood vascular system. Destroys the blood cells, vessels and heart causing internal bleeding).

View pictures of Indian Russel’s Viper

4. Saw-scaled viper (Malayalam – Anali)

This snake grows up to a length of 2’-3’. The body is grayish, reddish, or light brown in colour with white spots. Head is triangular distinct from the neck and bears a white arrow mark. Venum is haemotoxic.

View pictures of Saw scaled viper

5. Krait (Malayalam – Vellikettan, Mothiravalayan, Ettadi veeran, Ettadi Moorkhan, Samkhuvarayan)

Krait is a common snake with many species. The common species found in Kerala is Bungarus Coeruleus with blue or dark bluish grey colour and stripes across. These are found near human habitats due to availability of rodents. They are also found in farmlands and open forests. Venom is neurotoxic.

View pictures of Krait

First Aid for snake bite

http://www.lfsru.org/firstaid.htm : Information on effective first aid in the event of snake bite by Snakebite research unit, Little Flower Hospital and Research Centre, Angamaly, Kerala.


http://www.nadeppillilayur.com/treatments.php : Nadeppillil Traditional Toxicology Research Centre, Kalady, Kerala - Ayurveda Visha Chikitsa.


Possible errors: Moorghan, velliketan, ettadimoorkhan, Rajavempala, analy, mantali, manchatty, vellikattan, motiravalayan, ettadiveeran, Kobra, ettadiviran, mantaly, ettadimurkhan pambu, sankhuvarayan, mandely, Russelsviper Malayalam meaning, sanghu varayan, Russel’s viper Malayalam translation, Murghan, manchetty, mandeli, Raja vempala, Kingkobra, ettadyveeran, mothira valayan, sanghuvarayan, mandaly.

Useful links

Fishes in Kerala

http://www.nadeppillilayur.com/treatments.php

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Cobra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_Cobra

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daboia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Echis_carinatus

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bungarus_caeruleus


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Four_%28Indian_snakes%29

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