INDIANANGLER

Hi Guys,

I would be much obliged if someone can positively ID this Snake for me, I caught it in my garden (in Hong Kong) last month. I had to be careful as I had a sprained ankle at the time so catching it took some time. The kids would not have it killed.

I do not know if it is a Juvi Banded Krait, or something else. I need a positive ID as there are a lot of these critters crawling about where I live. I caught it and handed it over to the cops and we do not have an animal control unit here.



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Hi Bobby, Looks like a krait to me.

Regards,
Mighty Marlin.

Looks like dinner for a Chinese dude..

Tight Lines,
GRC

Yep Looks Like a Common Krait...,

is highly venomous...

Comes with a Tag...Handle with Care

A Banded Krait for sure. The stripes are a bit dull but that could be for a lot of reasons.

Be careful Bobby. These guys might be pretty lethargic and slow but they pack a mean punch.

Thanks guys,

I am far from an expert on Snakes and I have been trying to ID this sucker through the net.

Something I have noted, is that the common Krait has a sort of double band where as this guy seems to have a single band across the body.

Common Krait:


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We also have the Wolf Snake here that is non venomous that looks like this:

Wolf Snake:


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Wolf Snake:


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Appreciate if you could take a look at these pictures again and advise. Alternately if you guys know of any snake expert, would be obliged if you could give me their email address where I could email pictures for a positive ID.

Bobby,

Thats defnitely not a common krait since a common krait in not so common in your area and the pattern is closer to a banded krait. However your snake to me looks more like a wolf snake or a type of racer .
THe kraits you have in your area is the banded krait . The banded krait is much more brightly coloured, though, rarely, you see variations of dull colours but more of rusty brown than black.


Jeen

Hi Bobby,

I'd say its a wolf snake 95% chance or a Banded Krait 5% chance. A better photo of the shape of the head / body & the scales would be a give a way.
The body of Kraits (in general) are triangular in cross section, with distinctly large scales along the spine. The number of bands towards the tail of the Banded Krait increase, but in a Wolf snake they are almost constant. Also Banded Kraits are jet-black or bluish-black with yellow / white stripes, whereas the Wolf snake tends to be brownish / brownish black.

I'd suggest that you identify the snake ASAP (locally) to avoid any danger to you or your family.

If its a wolf snake, it would not be a problem, if its the 'K'..... oh ho!

regards,
Keyur

Thanks guys, that is why I am worried and I need to know if it is venomous. I live in a valley and there are numerous streams (foot wide) that run about the place, there is also a small river that flows behind the house about 50 meters away (in a beeline) The problem here is language, there is a kind of petting zoo about less than a 5 minute drive from where I live, if I recall correctly, they had a snake exhibit, this place holds rescued and injured wild animals or any exotic animals that were rescued while being smuggled in or through Hong Kong. Perhaps they may have a snake like this or have some info.

My house is a brand new only a year old, last year just after I moved in, there was one exact same snake in my back hard, my neighbour killed it and smashed it so bad, that it looked like a strip of leather. I did not see it alive.

This year since the start of this summer, we have seen 3 snakes like this, my son picked up on while walking the dog and threw it into the bushes, one was dead just outside my gate and this one I caught in my garden at the back. All were the same, so my concern and I want to know if it is venomous, more concerned for the dog (7 month old Lab) who runs around the house in the garden in the evenings.

You could contact BNHS - Bombay Natural History Society - bnhs@bom4.vsnl.net.in - I am sure they would help you with a positive ID.

Rule No 1. With snakes.

If you are not sure then it is poisonous.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the help, Hawkeyes email gave me an idea, I wrote to the Agricultural and Fisheries department Hong Kong, they were back with a prompt reply:

Dear Bruce,

Thank you for your email.
The snake in the photos is Banded Wolf Snake. It is non-venomous and generally gentle in nature. For more information about land venomous snakes in Hong Kong, you may wish to visit the website of this department as linked: http://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/conserva ... snake.html

Separately, I would like to take this opportunity to provide you with some general precautionary measures on snake nuisance for your reference as follows.
(i) regular grass cutting and vegetation management, removal of potential shelters, such as garbage, as well as maintaining a good
site tidiness and hygiene may help to discourage snakes from lingering;
(ii) Installment of fine mesh at base of fence and filling gaps of drainage outlets may prevent entry of snakes into premises.
(iii) If a snake poses threats to life, call the police for immediate assistance.

Please contact me if you have any enquiries.

Regards,
Connie Ng
***
NG Ka-yan, Connie
Wetland and Fauna Conservation Division
Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department

Hi Bobby
Thanks to Connie Ng, you can sleep in peace.
Ravi

Yes, God bless Connie Ng.

Connie Ng for president!

bobby that picture of holding that snake in that plier ,,man it is hurting a snake lover like me

Gentlemen,

Whilst on the topic of snakes, how problematic are these when fishing in
Indian conditions near bodies of water, jungle streams etc.?

Out here in Australia they have 9 of the top 10 deadliest snakes in the world
(I believe the cobra is 10th on the list) and every article on trout
fishing streams/rivers carries an almost mandatory warning to watch out for snakes.

My trout fishing vest always contains 2 pressure bandages, which is
the standard first aid treatment for a snakebite in Australia.

Your thoughts?

Kingfish

Well I did consider holding it with my fingers, however when I pinned it down and went to do so I realized it was too small/thin for my comfort, so I decided to go with the plier. At that point I was not sure what snake it was.

Rest assured the snake was unharmed.

Kingfish, there have been a few posts on Snakes and precautions that one must take when fishing in India, including one by Asif (a doc, now moved to Australia temporally I think) on what one should do in an unfortunate event if you are bitten. If cannot remember where it was posted as it was done so a while ago.

Perhaps a “Safety and First Aid” section would do well on the site, where members could refer quickly to for safety and first aid info. Bops would we like to have something like this, would be good for quick reference. Maybe something like this would need a disclaimer as a sticky as the first post.

Bobby,

I second your motion that we should have something on this site for a quick
reference for snake bite treatment.

I have a brother in law who raises pedigree Labradors in India (Punjab)
and he recently lost a beautiful male black Lab, bitten by a cobra.

The nearest vet to his farm did not have any antivenom and the dog
could not be saved.

It is because of situations such as this that I have voiced my concerns
for anglers in India.

Regards,
Kingfish

i too had a similar concern about snake bites more common these days ,,mostly ruseell viper ,i see them more these days maybe because increase of rat population ,,we need to set some guideline how to treat a snake bite,,,one thing i do is, always go with a partner at night and in a new place i try found out how far away is a medical facility or a atleast a doctor and the grass grows very big during october and nov ,,maybe bops can start a tread for this point and get some expert opinion on the topic,, and also i avoid places with big grass, or in december if the grass is dry i burn it during the day,,
another thing i do is carry at three thorches and after fishing at night i do check my bag for any snakes while going home specially if i am fishing near some bushes,,,,

Hi Bobby,

First of all, color is no consideration for identification of a Snake. You can easily identify a krait by looking at the pattern of dorsal scales. If there is a single line of hexagonal scale on the dorsal side of the snake, it is a Krait. In case, you are handling a Krait, I will request prudence and utmost caution as this shy snake is one of the most poisonous one.

The best way to catch a snake is to guide it into some bag and then twist the bag close. Any other way can cause danger for snake and handler both.

Regards,

Ali.

A viper at Sivasamudram



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a small Mahseer at the same place



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and the bluff (sivasamudram falls)



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and the best thing we had at Sivasamudram (antivenom)



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just for your viewing pleasure

Ravi

Looks like a good trip. I agree you should always carry a lot of 'anti venom' with you.

Bobby, this topic has already been discussed in detail in the thread below,

http://www.indianangler.com/viewtopic.p ... 4abbed91fd

Bops

Hey Ravin, the last pic of the "anti-venom" looks like it was taken on the table at the WASI Cottage

Your anti-venom angler,
GRC

Hi Bops,

For sake of convenience, can we have a Safety - first aid section, where topics like this can be discussed?

It will also be easy to access and refer to.

Bobby

You are right GRC.

The ice cubes seem to be missing!

Kingfish

thats a common wolf snake (lycodon aulicus ) and not a banded wolf snake
regards,
dr. prasad

Hi All,

Just a quick heads up if your fishing in India. You need to keep an eye out for the 'Big Four' (Indian Cobra, Krait, Russels Viper and Saw Scaled Viper). Any other snake apart from these four are no threat to humans, even if they may bite. The Big Four are easily identifiable (Google Images) out of which the Russels Viper is the most aggressive and most dangerous. If you come face to face with either of these chaps just use a long stick or rod and gently prod them in the opp direction (most often then not they shy away from a confrontation and prefer to slither off). If snakes are very common in your area you can also include a telescopic snake hook in your kit.

If you have more in depth questions feel free to ask. When I'm not angling I'm snake wrangling. Will be glad to give any inputs if needed.

Cheers

Danny

Hi Danny,

What about pythons?
some of the python species in India are poisonous.



Arish

I don't think any pythons are poisonous, it could be the bacteria in their teeth that could cause an infection when bitten, but I do not believe pythons have venom.

No python or boa in the world is poisonous. Like Bobby says the bite could get infected but then so could a razor cut.

When i was in Chennai i visited snake park, there are some pythons(i forgot their specie name) that are mildly and fully venomous. the nature of each and every snakes are written there. will upload the pics of those snakes when i got time...

Dear Arish,

no pythons are venomous, they are constrictors so they simply don't need venom.
@bobby; as far as their bite is concerned; they do not have bacterias in their mouth like commodo dragons but the sharp and curved teeth can slash the flesh off and its then like any other wound which is prone to get infected...

regards,

Dr. Prasad

I would surely include King Cobra and make that big five. Also do not forget to include the coral snake. The thumb rule is that all snakes are poisonous till you are absolutely sure they are non Poisonous. (Ken will tell you the story of one ignorant poor soul, holding a viper by its tail, thinking it to be a Python. )

Regards,

Ali.

I was also a part of the team of idiots who handled the viper. It was 'identified' by a pretty well informed person as a python. Fortunately a few of us still had some sense and knew it was a Russels. I still dragged it by it's tail to a safe place. Probably the stupidest thing I have done in my life. And as a friend added 'and still counting'.

Guys! All snakes should be thought of as being poisonous till they are completely correctly identified as not being harmful.

BUT poisonous or not no snake should be harmed.

National parks can get there info wrong too! I have seen a sign at the Delhi Zoo that called the public bathroom 'clean'. So don't trust everything you read especially if it is a Govt job.

the snake park is supported by World Wildlife Fund so all the informations are genuine. i remember reading something from one of the python's board that it is mildly venomous and can rarely use venom. the info boards on each enclosures debunk many myths and that pythons are non venomous is one of the myth!

Hi All,

Pythons are definitely not venomous but have a very painful bite. They are often confused with a Russels Viper. The easiest way to tell them apart is by the size, shape of head and scales. Pythons are much larger, have a rectangular head and have unsymmetrical scale patterns. RV's are smaller, have an arrow shape head with a distinct V marking on the head and have distinct diamond shaped markings on the body.

@ Ken: You are lucky to be in one piece mate. I know a guy who handled a RV by the tail and got bitten. He lost two of his fingers. RV's are extremely aggressive, extremely quick and extremely venomous. They will attack for no reason and are known to bite through their own lower jaw if their head is constricted by a human hand. So keep away from these guys.

@ Ali: The King Cobra although the largest venomous snake, is found mainly in deeply forested areas. The big four on the other hand are very common among humans. But all in all keep an eye out for them. I have been looking for one for a long time but haven't come across a King yet.

All in all if you don't have experience handling snakes then I recommend to keep safe distance and keep a snake wranglers number handy. If you must deal with a snake on your own use a long stick and keep safe distance.

Cheers

Danny

I will say one thing Arish, good thing that it is not the other way around, where a Russels Viper is called a non-venomous. I think Kenneth's right, but here is another good sign from from Chennai.



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its all Chennai's mistake i think, what more we were confused with the waiter in a hotel in Chennai when we ordered Mosambi(sweet lime) juice, the waiter kept telling us what is mosambi???? they don't know the hindi name for sweet lime

killer Krait..on west coast it tops the list.

Not true...

Blame it on Snake park for polluting my mind ! Thanks to IA, It cleaned up my mind

BTW i missed Saltiga

Only mentioned it as I was confident I would not have to give it away

What if i bought crystal clear information from Senior experienced snake wranglers

It would have to be a mutant snake of some kind, but yes I would like to hear from experienced snake wranglers of a poisonus python.