Any snake experts?

api · Jul 27th, 2007, 17:44

Can anyone make a tentative ID on a snake for me? I am mainly concerned whether it is poisonous and I have to get it removed from my garden, or whether I can let it be. It is mostly white, becoming more grey / silver on its back. I know it is not a viper or krait, but I am guessing it could be a cobra. It is large - maybe around 1.5 m long and I didn't get a good look at its head, but it did appear fairly large in proportion to its body. Can cobras be this colour?

Amyth · Jul 27th, 2007, 17:49

Quote:

Any snake experts?

Count me out!!

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2007, 00:43

Try this thread here.

Also this site could well be useful to you

birds · Jul 28th, 2007, 03:34

You can post a picture on: India Nature Watch
And surely somebody will be able to help you.

If it doesn’t work send me a picture and I can show it to some snake experts.

If you decide to get it removed, be careful who you ask. Many snake handlers are not as good as they think they are. Asking the forest department may be the dead sentence for the snake as there are known cases of them selling 'rescued wildlife'.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Also this site could well be useful to you

Just want to point out that the first aid given on this site advises a tourniquet in case of emergency. This is contradictory to advice of the World Health Organisation which says that studies have shown that tourniquets can further endanger the victim. I have no idea who is right but it is something to take into consideration.

On the basis on these WHO guidelines I produced a Snake First Aid guidelines which I made for my office as we have frequently snakes around here. Sometime back I posted it on:

Snake first aid

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2007, 03:56

Thanks for more good links

Here is my description of calling a government snake catcher to our house.

Barryjames · Jul 28th, 2007, 06:57

I'm not an expert by any means, but for reasons unknown to myself I have no fear of snakes, irrational? Definitely. My gut feeling from your description is that it is not venomous, I could be wrong though.

Try to get a picture of the creature for reference, and make sure that you get assistance from a professional organisation, NOT the police.

My experience is as follows: Many years ago I found a snake in the parking area outside the hotel where I was incarcerated. I managed to pin the guy by the normal manner and took him/her into the reception area. BIG mistake, everyone freaked.

To cut the story short, the brave police arrived and produced the proper head restraint system for the snake, much chattering in the local gibberish and then a lull in the proceedings.

Obviously this time was a waste of their normal snoozing time (which seems to be from the time they arrive at the station until they go home), the matter was resolved when one of the brave policemen brought his heel down smartly on the creatures head.

Please call a professional, cobras, for example, believe it or not are now an endangered species. They will be removed and taken many miles from any habitation where they will be released.

I think there are around two hundred species of snake in India, most are harmless. Politicians on the other hand are not; it's open shooting season for them.

~Biologically speaking, if something bites you, it's likely to be a female or a politician, or both~.....ME.....

Nick-H · Jul 28th, 2007, 16:56

Our snake was taken to be released in the forest. Govt snake catchers should do this.

The worst that should happen is it is taken to a snake park for having venom harvested, but most are released.

Very sad to see a creature unnecessarily killed.

Jul 27th, 2007, 17:44	#1
api Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 13	Any snake experts? Can anyone make a tentative ID on a snake for me? I am mainly concerned whether it is poisonous and I have to get it removed from my garden, or whether I can let it be. It is mostly white, becoming more grey / silver on its back. I know it is not a viper or krait, but I am guessing it could be a cobra. It is large - maybe around 1.5 m long and I didn't get a good look at its head, but it did appear fairly large in proportion to its body. Can cobras be this colour?

Jul 28th, 2007, 00:43	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Try this thread here. Also this site could well be useful to you __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Jul 28th, 2007, 03:56	#5
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Thanks for more good links Here is my description of calling a government snake catcher to our house.

Jul 28th, 2007, 06:57	#6
Barryjames Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Goa Posts: 93	I'm not an expert by any means, but for reasons unknown to myself I have no fear of snakes, irrational? Definitely. My gut feeling from your description is that it is not venomous, I could be wrong though. Try to get a picture of the creature for reference, and make sure that you get assistance from a professional organisation, NOT the police. My experience is as follows: Many years ago I found a snake in the parking area outside the hotel where I was incarcerated. I managed to pin the guy by the normal manner and took him/her into the reception area. BIG mistake, everyone freaked. To cut the story short, the brave police arrived and produced the proper head restraint system for the snake, much chattering in the local gibberish and then a lull in the proceedings. Obviously this time was a waste of their normal snoozing time (which seems to be from the time they arrive at the station until they go home), the matter was resolved when one of the brave policemen brought his heel down smartly on the creatures head. Please call a professional, cobras, for example, believe it or not are now an endangered species. They will be removed and taken many miles from any habitation where they will be released. I think there are around two hundred species of snake in India, most are harmless. Politicians on the other hand are not; it's open shooting season for them. *~Biologically speaking, if something bites you, it's likely to be a female or a politician, or both~*.....ME.....

Jul 28th, 2007, 16:56	#7
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 28,368	Our snake was taken to be released in the forest. Govt snake catchers should do this. The worst that should happen is it is taken to a snake park for having venom harvested, but most are released. Very sad to see a creature unnecessarily killed.

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