snakes and other animal problems

vargoje3 · Dec 6th, 2005, 02:46

I'll be in Southern India for just around 5 months. I've been told that there are all types of poisonous snakes and other critters waiting for me when i get there. I'll be sleeping for the most part in a thatched hut about 5 feet off the ground. Will i have to worry about putting on my shoes in the morning and finding a very unhappy visitor in them? Also i have also been warned about opening any pots for cooking before looking in them for a coiled Krait or other poisonous snake. Anyone have any experiance in this subject?

seventies'hippy · Dec 6th, 2005, 02:51

More people die from Mosquitos bites than snake bites,,,,,,,,,,,,

Though if you put snakes into our searchbox & hit go it should bring up some previous threads on the subject,,,,,,,,,,,

PeakXV · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:13

Just pack your chainmail chaps and jockstrap and laugh at them as they snap away at you

And pack your flute for the cooking pots .... just give a few melodic toots before you commence cooking and if a serpent heads pop up ...... consider it Pot Un-luck and scram!

Seriously you will be lucky to catch glimpse of any of the slithery creatures! Best of Luck!

vargoje3 · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:13

Thanks, didnt find too much though. I'm actually not afraid of them but am just very fascinated. Would love to get some good pics of a cobra or russel's viper before i leave India.

seventies'hippy · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by vargoje3

Thanks, didnt find too much though. I'm actually not afraid of them but am just very fascinated. Would love to get some good pics of a cobra or russel's viper before i leave India.

Heres a couple

.ever bitten by a snake? (in india)

Talking of Snakes,,,,,,,,,

Hyderabadi · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by vargoje3

Thanks, didnt find too much though. I'm actually not afraid of them but am just very fascinated. Would love to get some good pics of a cobra or russel's viper before i leave India.

King Cobra

More links:
http://www.hindu.com/mag/2004/06/13/...1300400200.htm

http://ladywildlife.com/animal/cobra.htm

http://www.wildlife-tour-india.com/i...ife/cobra.html

crvlvr · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:45

Quote:

Will i have to worry about putting on my shoes in the morning and finding a very unhappy visitor in them? Also i have also been warned about opening any pots for cooking before looking in them for a coiled Krait or other poisonous snake.

Definete possibilitties in India. take the same precautions the locals do.

shere · Dec 6th, 2005, 03:53

I have seen 2 over a 14 year period so do not worry about it too much.

The next doors dog which moves in with us when we are there is very good at detecting snakes so I always take it some treats.

vargoje3 · Dec 6th, 2005, 04:04

I think its a real possibility of seeing either a cobra or a big python while i'm over there. One of my best friends is Indian and she told me that her uncle died several years ago from a snakebite.

Nick-H · Dec 6th, 2005, 12:20

I live in a city and have never seen a snake. I have seen them in rural places.

It's easy not to think, and I got shouted at for using a bush as toilet one night: "not safe! Snakes!"

The floods have bought snakes into Chennai; teh papers have reported that quite a few, including cobras have been caught --- but not here, yet.

Even here, I always give my sandals a kick before putting them on. Again I've never seen one, but I'm told scorpions are a possibility.

Quite a few people die from snake bites in rural India.

seventies'hippy · Dec 6th, 2005, 12:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

. Again I've never seen one, but I'm told scorpions are a possibility.

Quite a few people die from snake bites in rural India.

Yes there used to be a lot of sand scorpions in goa, but like the snakes they seem to be getting fewer & fewer with the onslaught of people, buildings and their diminishing territories etc

jyotirmoy · Dec 6th, 2005, 12:49

I think you are worrying too much. Now here is a tip. If you see a snake moving fast with out much slithering & coiling chances are that it is non-poisonous, since they lack the defence of venom nature has given them fast movement. In a place where snakes may be found always stamp your feet loudly while walking remember snakes cant hear but feel the vibration in the ground.

gopalk · Dec 6th, 2005, 13:24

As others have replied, it depends on the place you are staying. In rural south india if you close to dense bushes or fields, there is every likelyhood of encountering snakes. Fields - those that are rat infested - are good hunting grounds for snakes.

If it is raining a lot, snakes like to find a warm place (who doesnt?). Houses (esp Kitchens) are good places for them to find warmth.

If you do encounter a snake, a panic reaction from you is the one most likely to elicit a venomous response from them as they would take it as a sign of attack from your side.

Old folklore says, if you are chased by a snake - run straight. If an elephant, run in a zig-zag manner.

Have a safe stay.

Dec 6th, 2005, 02:46	#1
vargoje3 Fishing Master Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 177	snakes and other animal problems I'll be in Southern India for just around 5 months. I've been told that there are all types of poisonous snakes and other critters waiting for me when i get there. I'll be sleeping for the most part in a thatched hut about 5 feet off the ground. Will i have to worry about putting on my shoes in the morning and finding a very unhappy visitor in them? Also i have also been warned about opening any pots for cooking before looking in them for a coiled Krait or other poisonous snake. Anyone have any experiance in this subject?

Dec 6th, 2005, 02:51	#2
seventies'hippy Maha Guru Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: UK Posts: 2,127	More people die from Mosquitos bites than snake bites,,,,,,,,,,,, Though if you put snakes into our searchbox & hit go it should bring up some previous threads on the subject,,,,,,,,,,, __________________ . . . My Photo Gallery

Dec 6th, 2005, 03:13	#3
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,333	Snakes alive! Just pack your chainmail chaps and jockstrap and laugh at them as they snap away at you And pack your flute for the cooking pots .... just give a few melodic toots before you commence cooking and if a serpent heads pop up ...... consider it Pot Un-luck and scram! Seriously you will be lucky to catch glimpse of any of the slithery creatures! Best of Luck! __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Dec 6th, 2005, 12:20	#10
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	I live in a city and have never seen a snake. I have seen them in rural places. It's easy not to think, and I got shouted at for using a bush as toilet one night: "not safe! Snakes!" The floods have bought snakes into Chennai; teh papers have reported that quite a few, including cobras have been caught --- but not here, yet. Even here, I always give my sandals a kick before putting them on. Again I've never seen one, but I'm told scorpions are a possibility. Quite a few people die from snake bites in rural India. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

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Dec 6th, 2005, 03:53	#8
shere Maha Guru Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: England Posts: 1,110	I have seen 2 over a 14 year period so do not worry about it too much. The next doors dog which moves in with us when we are there is very good at detecting snakes so I always take it some treats.

Dec 6th, 2005, 04:04	#9
vargoje3 Fishing Master Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 177	I think its a real possibility of seeing either a cobra or a big python while i'm over there. One of my best friends is Indian and she told me that her uncle died several years ago from a snakebite.

Dec 6th, 2005, 12:49	#12
jyotirmoy Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: India Posts: 4,659	I think you are worrying too much. Now here is a tip. If you see a snake moving fast with out much slithering & coiling chances are that it is non-poisonous, since they lack the defence of venom nature has given them fast movement. In a place where snakes may be found always stamp your feet loudly while walking remember snakes cant hear but feel the vibration in the ground.

Dec 6th, 2005, 13:24	#13
gopalk Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 244	As others have replied, it depends on the place you are staying. In rural south india if you close to dense bushes or fields, there is every likelyhood of encountering snakes. Fields - those that are rat infested - are good hunting grounds for snakes. If it is raining a lot, snakes like to find a warm place (who doesnt?). Houses (esp Kitchens) are good places for them to find warmth. If you do encounter a snake, a panic reaction from you is the one most likely to elicit a venomous response from them as they would take it as a sign of attack from your side. Old folklore says, if you are chased by a snake - run straight. If an elephant, run in a zig-zag manner. Have a safe stay.

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