Association (Snakes & Man) of Prehistoric Times
Snakes
are mostly misunderstood and maligned, mainly out of unawareness about their factual
nature and spot in the nature. As we know all snakes are predators, but of them
all, because of venomous nature (snakes that use their fangs to
inject toxins into their prey) of some have given an imprecise status
to the whole group, as most people cannot differentiate the venomous one from
the harmless one. Only a small percentage of snake (less than 300 species) species
is venomous, and of those only about half population is lethal to man. Snakes
usually bite out of danger in their defense. The venom that they contain is
very important to them as it helps them to paralyze their prey and in digesting
it.
Although snakebite mortality
rate worldwide according to world health organisation is likely at 81,000 to 138,000
people per year and 400,000 amputations. In India an estimated 2.8 million
snakebite cases are reported according to world health organisation which leads
to about 50,000 deaths per year chiefly due to poor medical treatment,
superstitions and a having a large number of venomous snake population. Of all
around 90 % of snakebites cases are caused by the big four group which includes
such as Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, Common krait and Saw scaled viper.
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Indian Cobra (Naja naja) |
Snakes
are able to control the quantity of venom they infuse known the importance of
it and may bite assertively for food or in defense for protection. As snakes
have a restricted amount of toxin accessible at any given time therefore they do
not want to waste it usually on non prey individuals.
As
a result, it is been reported about 40 % of bites delivered to humans are totally
defensive in nature and “dry” (without envenomation). Figures show that the
majority of snakebites occur while catching, handling or trying to kill one. In
any case, the snake is only defending itself. Russell Vipers, for example, are
venomous, large ones and are quite dangerous due to their long fangs and the
amount of venom they can inject. However, they are shy and retreating, and do
not attack until ill-treated. If approached or molested, they coil up and hiss
aloud as a warning to be left alone, and strike only as a last option.
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| Russell's viper (Daboia russelii) |
On
the other hand, most cases of snake attacks are totally based upon the encroachment
in the snake’s territory, which make it feel trapped, cornered and provocation.
Besides,
only two snake species around the world have a bad reputation of aggressors, “The
Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) found in Africa and The King cobra
(Ophiophagus hannah) distributed throughout Southeast Asia”.
However,
these creatures are totally inoffensive under numerous circumstances. It is man,
who is unconcerned about them, usually having emotions ranging from religious and
superstitious fright to growing repulsion and irrepressible fear generation to generation.
There is always an undifferentiated view on these creatures where some are concerned
while some fear from them.
It
is also fascinating to note that, even if the majority of people admit to have fear
or hate snakes but still one of the most
visited zone of any zoo is the snake house which itself verify that serpents
are among the mystifying and mesmerizing creature, even if they are abhorrent. All
of this on account of their stunning colours, patterns and their elegant
crawling movements. There are some snakes around the world that are among the
most beautiful animals.
Regarding
serpents I keep on hearing people around phrasing; referring venomous snakes as
poisonous which is not technically correct, as the term “poisonous” simply
applies to those organisms that discharge their toxins when some other
creature consumes them while on the other hand venomous organisms deliver
toxins inside the bodies of their prey by inject it through fangs or sting. In
fact there are very few serpents that truly possess poisonous nature like the North
American “Garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)”, whose body has the capacity
to soak and hoard the toxins of their
prey viz., newts, toads, salamanders and whatever poisonous prey it takes.
Other
than all of this, these creatures are worshiped nearly in every culture since
ancient times including present scenario around the world. Worshiping serpents
is one of the oldest forms of reverence.
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Naga (worshiped by the name of SubarNag) figure inside a temple at Bhaderwah region of J&K state, India |
“Snakes are the most astonishing
creatures, Some are dangerous yet beneficial, because of various reasons Therefore I urge to admiring
them and be safe”
