Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)
Mangaluru, Mar 26: In the foothills of Karkala and Hebri taluks, the movement of rattlesnakes is likely to increase starting from the first week of March right up to June. The sightings of these snakes is likely to become quite common in places such as Ajekaru, Shirlalu, Keruwashe, Mala, Mudaru, Bajagoli, Hosmaru, Idu, Andaru, Munialu, Mudradi, Kabbinale, Nadalu, Madamakki, Alpadi, Chara, Hebri, Kuchuru Agumbe, Kundapur taluk, But, this venomous reptile is mostly found in parts of Beltangady taluk where a large activity of snakes is witnessed.
Female cobras can traverse up to a range of 5 km but they live within limits while their male partners move in range up to 8 km. During the breeding season, the range of males is limited to 2 km although in normal circumstances they can travel long distances and return to their original base.
Females can usually grow up to a length of 9 feet while males up to 12 feet. It is believed that snakes should not be seen mating and this is the faith of many. The sole objective of this belief seems to be that humans should not disturb the mating activity of the snakes and so are the beliefs kept.
A fight between male cobras is called a kombat.
Speaking on this topic, Nagaraj Bellur, a snake rescuer and environmentalist said, "Snakes are cold blooded and they are completely different from the other animals that humans know. Even the king cobra is a completely different snake in the family of snakes as it belongs to a different species. There are four types of Cobras and the king cobras are a different species not because it is more venomous but because they have a higher amount of venom in them. Most of the Cobras mate during the month of March and it is during this mating season that the female cobra releases sex pheromones, a kind of chemical which allows male snakes to understand about the presence of the female snakes.
The male snakes follow the smell emanated by the females and nearly 4-5 male cobras gather to fight in a combat to go for the mating. Usually the mating process happens anywhere from four days to three weeks and we have a record of sighting Cobra pairs together after three weeks of mating."
He further added that "When venomous snakes enter into places such as houses and sheds it is mainly because of poor cleanliness maintained there. Cobras and other snakes feed on frogs and rats etc and so if they have a chance of finding a source of food near residential areas then they enter such areas. Whenever a venomous snake is seen, call the forest department officials and if it's a cobra in such cases only a few experts can rescue the snake. Sometimes, the snake rescuers leave the deadly reptile in another place. However, there is a need to create awareness among the public that cleanliness should be maintained in the surroundings of our homes. Snakes like king cobras live in its territory and due to increase in human settlements it is causing a problem to their existence. There are some experts who say that the population of King Cobra is increasing and I believe that it's a false claim."
On importing snakes for domesticating them, he said "Any Indian snake species should not be kept as pets. There are some snakes which are imported and are allowed to be kept as pets but it should be clear to such pet lovers that they cannot leave these creatures into the forest area because these snakes are likely to cause unrest among the existing snake population.”
On precautions to be taken when encountered with snake bites, he said, “When a snake bites we should initially make sure that the patient is not scared because a bite increases the heart beat due to which there is a rush of blood. He should then be rushed to a nearby hospital where an anti-snake venom medicine is readily available. Usually, we recommend such patients to visit a district government hospital or dispensaries where some doses of anti-snake venom are readily available. In India, around 60,000 people die of snake bites every year. I request those affected by snake bite to engage, hire or take a vehicle and reach the hospital as soon as possible. Do not try an Ayurveda medicine at the very instance of the bite or other types of herbal medicines if you have been bitten by a venomous snake.”