Snakes at Risk

Snakes  have  survived  and  evolved  for tens  of  millions  of  years.  Though  they have  adapted  quite  well  to  'man-made' crop-lands,  gardens  and  cities,  for example,  they  are  vulnerable  to  the rapid changes we make to these places. The  destruction  of  'green  spaces' in our cities and  the way we degrade  land have  outpaced  their  ability  to  survive. A  lack of awareness, general apathy, and our fear of them have also contributed to the loss in no small measure!

The  threats  snakes  face  from  us  are linked  to  the  different  'lifestyles' they have. The arboreal species  that  live on trees  (like  the  Vine  snake  amidst  the foliage,  or  the  Cat  snake  in  tree crevices) can be wiped out by the loss of greenery.  Fossorial or  burrowing forms  like  sand-boas,  shield-tails, Kukris  and  the  Worm  snake,  can  get eliminated by digging and earth-moving. aquatic species  like  the  Checkered Keelback  can  lose  a  home  and  a  survival, by the draining of tanks and lakes. urbanisation helps  only  some — such as the Cobra and Rat snake — that can hide in structures that we create and are able  to  feed on  rats  that multiply  in our midst.  But  for  all,  including  the  vast majority of snakes which are  land  -living or  terrestrial,  it  is  indeed a hard battle for  survival. We  just  need more  green spaces which are left alone in our cities to  give  all  these  species  a  chance  to survive! And we do need  to  realise and accept  that  these  life  forms have a  role to play in nature, which they do well too!

If you see a snake on your premises, do not panic: it could be a harm-less one. leave the snake alone since it could move away on its own. Do not get agitated and kill or injure the snake. In case you call a snake rehabilitator, have the snake released locally. a long distance relocation is neither needed nor advisable.

Precautions: When  in  snake  country,  be  alert  and use  a  light while walking  about  at  night. Careless walking  or  running  around  could  be dangerous. Use shoes and exercise caution while playing in areas surrounded by rocks and shrubbery. Do not put your hands  into dark corners and crevices, or wear shoes without checking first.

First aid: Even  the bite of a venomous snake  is usually never  fatal and most persons often succumb  to mere shock. The only venomous snakes we  have  to  contend with  are  the Cobra,  the krait,  the Saw-scaled and Russell’s Vipers (see pictures). Key factors in a venomous snake bite mishap are the quantity of venom injected, age and physical condition  of  the  person,  and  the  time  gap  between  the  bite  and  the treatment.  If bitten by a venomous snake, use a pressure bandage on the heart side of  the bite,  to slow down blood  flow  to and  from  the bit-ten  limb. Never cut  the  flow completely. Ensure  that  the bitten person remains calm and  rush him/her  to a good hospital with a  'ventilator'. avoid  all  beverages  and cardio-stimulants.  Remember  that  anti-venom  is  the  only  effective  treatment  for  a  snake  bite. Any  delay  in proper treatment could even prove fatal!

 

TEXT FROM THE 'SNAKES AT RISK' POSTER BY KRISHNA MB, SUNIL KUMAR M, SRINIVASA TS, 2006.