Monthly event: October

Animals Around us: Snake

Snakes are reptiles and important component of ecosystem. There are approximately around 2,700 species of snake. The size of snake ranges from pencil size to 25 foot which can even swallow human child. The snakes are closest related to monitor lizard and gila monsters. They have forked tongue and sense organs on the roof of their mouth. The ball python is the longest-lived snake species in the world. Snakes have captivity to reached the age of between 25 – 30 years with the correct care. Some of the species of snakes are easily killed by prolonged exposure with sun. Most of the snakes go on hibernation for 3-4 months in winter. Snakes are supposed to be evolved 90 million years ago modified form of lizards.

Characteristics of snake:

-Their skeleton contains flexible backbones and pair of ribs

-Skin is covered by scales and are generally dry

-Most of the snake have one lungs and are long

-They lack diaphragm muscle

-Snake shed their skin several times a year. Before, this eyes are milk coloured

-The skin of cobras, water snake, pythons and other have beautiful texture so are used to make expensive shoes, garments.

-They have poor eye sight except some. Their eye is covered and protected with transparent scale called braille.

-Snake don’t hear very well. They generally lack year drum.

Poisonous part of snake

The poison apparatus consists of a pair of poison glands and a pair of fangs. The glands are situated one on either side of the upper jaw and hold by ligaments.

Why snake conservation is needed?

a. Population Controller/ Pest control: As snake is a carnivore they eat number of prey. This helps in controlling population. Rodents is an excellent example which reproduces exponentially in absence of predators.

b. Prey for other creatures’/ Balance ecosystem: Snakes are the prey for birds like hawks, etc. Thus helps in food chain.

c. Economic Importance: Snake provides entertainment in zoos to humans and get to know about its living pattern. Anti- venom can be produced through the snake.

Some of the poisonous snakes found in Nepal are:

1. Cobra:

Cobra are one of the poisonous species. There are around 10 species of cobra. The average length of cobra is 2-3 meters. Generally, its colour is black or buff. Under the neck there have 2 or 3 dark belly plates.

2. Krait:

Kraits (Naja bungarus) are smaller in size than the cobras and their colour of the body is glistening black with linear arches. They are found in gardens. The poison fangs are small and the tail is round at the tip. Central rows of scales down the back are large and hexagonal.

3. Vipers:

These are rather large and stout snakes. The triangular head is broad, flat and covered with small scales. The have their neck narrow.

After bite of snake: After the bite of snake, the effect is observed within an hour after bite. Symptoms that are observed are giddiness, high pulse rate, salivation, partial paralysis of tongue and larynx, vomiting and contraction of pupil. The venom affects the circulatory system so it’s better to tight bitten area with rope so that it doesn’t flow quickly.

End of report

Thank you!