‘We need snakes to control rat breeding’

Shravan Krishnan, a volunteer, who worked closely with the Forest Department, says that there are just about four kinds of snakes that are poisonous. He adds that others are absolutely harmless. Killing them will only affect the ecology and food chain. “We need these snakes now more than ever. After the water has receded, there are high chances of outbreak of leptospirosis which is caused by rats. As we know snakes feed on rats, killing snakes will only lead to increase in rat population,” says Shravan, who ensures that his team educates people about snakes. 

He adds, “There are so many superstitions and myths around these snakes that are centuries old. For instance, some people believe that a rat snake’s tail is poisonous. It’s not true. Another popular superstition is that if you hurt a snake and it bites you, it will follow you all the way to your grave,” he says.

One has to understand that a snake is more scared than humans. It will only react when it feels threatened by someone. “If someone finds a snake outdoors, they should observe it from a distance. The chances of it attacking increases when someone goes closer to chase it. Snakes always warn a person before attacking. If someone finds a snake indoors, close the doors and windows and call for help,” he says.

Forest helpline number: 044-22200335.