Snakes are cold blooded reptiles that need an available heat to encourage their existence and activities. There are mainly four types of snakes but lately few more breeds have been found from various regions in deserts, vast seas, and even among the Himalayan glaciers. The main four types are: 1. Indian Cobra including King Cobra: These are most poisonous snakes that grow to an average height of one meter. The circular ocelli pattern on the rear of its hood seems to be connected by a curved line giving the look of spectacles. King Cobra measures nearly 5.7 m in length and weighs nearly 20 kg. 2. Common kraits: These are available in different colours and lengths and have smooth glossy scales. They measure from 10 centimeters to 6 meters. 3. Russell�s vipers: These are highly poisonous snakes of the viper family, and are responsible for most of the snakebite deaths within their habitat. 4. Python: They are also known as Ajgar. These are massively built snakes of the Indian sub-continent that depends mostly on water. They raise their body temperature through muscular contractions, and have the power to suck things from a distance.
The other varieties are purple pit vipers, flower snakes, flying snakes, and common rat snakes. Flying snakes are rare and exotic reptiles. They feed on small insects and birds such as lizards and frogs. Their existence is facing threat due to rampant destruction of trees and their environments. These snakes measure 1.75 meters and are found in forested hills of Northeast India and Orissa.
The poison by snakebite immediately spreads through the body system, making the arteries numb, causing immediate death. Fear about snakes prevails due to their very nature of biting human beings. In India they are parts of our mythology. Thus snakes are admired, dreaded and scorned. They are portrayed as evil spirit. It is believed that they live underground and protect the crops of farmers from insects and pests. Lord Shiva wears a cobra around his neck. Shiva�s son Ganesh wears a snake as a waistband. Sheshnag has coiled up to serve as a bed for Vishnu. Hindus worship the snake on Nagpanchami and make offerings in the temples of Lord Shiva or in Hindu homes. It is believed that after the offering is made the snakes will never bite any member of their family. This festival generally falls in the rainy season when the reptiles come out of their holes that get flooded with water.
There are two to twelve headed snakes available in India. Recently a ten head snake was caught in Sri Lanka on 10th of December. A picture of which can be seen on the internet. This is a rare variety which existed long back when Sri Krishna overpowered this snake type in River Yamuna, which is a mythological link in Bhagvad Gita. Snakes are materialistic creatures and are effective at getting what they want. They stop at nothing to get what they believe they deserve. They prefer living a life of calmness and become easily stressed when they feel frightened. They guard their chosen partners much like a prized possession, becoming jealous and even obsessive. It is important never to betray a snake�s trust as a betrayed snake will make it a goal to get even.
Ancient Chinese wisdom says that snake in the house is a good omen because it means your family will not starve. They are compatible only with few animals. I have seen a large snake fighting with a bull dog that continued for almost five to ten minutes and thereafter both of them died. My family caught the full scene of their fight in their mobile camera.
I confronted snakes thrice in my life and had a narrow escape. First time I saw a snake when I was trekking on my way to Pandari Glacier. I hit him with a stone when it became furious and came in the middle of the road shooting its vicious gaze on me keeping its hood straight up. I stepped back but was cautious to see its movement. Several horsemen with pile of load crossed ahead, but it remained unshaken as if preparing to fly and pounce on me. After about ten minutes it regained its calmness and crossed the road to the right and went behind a big boulder, not to be seen any more.
Another incident took place when small children were playing in a vacant plot of, where a heap of pebbles was lying in one corner. The urchins wanted to play cricket and one young chap grabbed few bricks from that pile, not knowing that a small snake was resting under it. When he removed the brick it stung him and he died within an hour.
Recently when I was staying with my daughter in Maryland (USA), we used to go for a walk in the woods behind her house. Once when we were coming back from our walk, we found a snake which was in a dormant state. We passed quietly without disturbing it. All of us are worshippers of Lord Shiva, who wear a snake around the neck. The forest behind my daughter�s house is very long and at a half-way point we decided to name a low cut tree as Lord Shiva and daily touched it with reverence and came back. On the third day we saw a big snake on the left side of our route and my daughter pointed a finger towards its presence. It got frightened and quickly disappeared in the tall grass. We came back from that place and never went to bow our head in reverence to Lord of our making thereafter.
There are coral snakes in USA, which are well painted with red on black or black on red, having equidistant stripes. Most coral snake bites in the United States occur due to outdoor activity, such as gardening. There is usually mild pain associated with a bite, but respiratory failure can occur within hours. In hospitals they preserve polyvalent serum that effectively neutralizes the venom which is frequently used to save lives.
No doubt reptiles are beautiful creatures but I don�t agree with Chinese that their presence in the house is a good omen. These creatures are dangerous in every respect; we should guard ourselves from them.
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