Page 10 - Jan-Mar 2019

Big “Venomous” Four tOP OF tHe terrOr LiSt!

The hook-nosed sea snake is
There are nearly 3000 known species of snakes in considered the most venomous snake
the world, out of which around 270 can be found in in the world, with its venom being
India. Four of the species found in India are venomous Illustration by: T. S. Karthikeya, almost 100 times stronger than that
of King Cobra.
and responsible for most of the snake bites. They are IX A, BVB's Atmakuri Rama Rao
called the Big Four! School, Hyderabad

indiAn cOBrA cOMMOn KrAit
Scientific Name: Bungarus
Scientific Name: Naja naja
caeruleus
local Names: Nag (Hindi, Marathi), local Names: Maneer
Gokhra (Bengali), Moorkan (Malayalam), (Hindi), Manyar (Marathi),
Nalla pambu (Tamil) Valla Pamboo (Malayalam),
distribution: India, Pakistan, Kattu viriyan (Tamil), Kalta
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, southern pamoo (Telugu) Illustration by: P. Siri, VIII A, Gitanjali
Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan distribution: Main Devakul, Hyderabad
Illustration by: Srishti Jain, VIII D,
Characteristics: Have a large Cambridge School, Noida peninsular India, Sri Lanka,
impressive hood which has two Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal
circular patterns connected by Characteristics: Most venomous of the Big Four in
a curved line, resembling spectacles. Responsible for India. Feeds mainly on other snakes and sometimes
most cases of snake bites in India. It’s now protected preys on rodents, lizards etc. Considered to be one of
under Indian Wildlife Protection Act (1972). the most deadly species in the world. Its venom is said

to be 15 times more toxic than that of Indian Cobra.

SAW-ScALed ViPer
ruSSeLL’S ViPer
Scientific Name: Echis carinatus
Scientific Name: Daboia local Names: Afai (Hindi), Phoorsa (Marathi), Churute
russelii (Malayalam), Suratai pamboo (Tamil)

Local Names: Paran distribution: India, Sri Lanka,
(Hindi) Pakistan, Bangladesh, Middle

Ghonas (Marathi), East, Central Asia
Chandrobora (Bengali), Characteristics: Considered
Mandali (Malayalam), one of the most aggressive
Illustration by: D. Raghavendra
Kennadi virian (Tamil), Reddy, IX B, BVB's Atmakuri Rama Rao snake species all over the world. It is the smallest of
Katuka rekula (Telugu) School, Hyderabad the big fours in India. Has a unique threat display,

distribution: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, a ‘sizzling’ warning sound produced by rubbing
Laos, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Cambodia, parts of sections of their body together.
Indonesia
Characteristics: It ambushes its prey, its patterned ActiVitY: MY LittLe SnAKe BOOK
skin allows it to camouflage and merge with the Taking any one of the above species, make a
background. Produces venom which affects the snake book.
nervous system, causing paralysis and death if
untreated. You may include myths and stories,
characteristics, distribution and protection of
the snake.

D.r. Tanusree, iX, Kakinada Public school, Kakinada; rani Jeengar, iX b, swami Vivekanand rajkiya Mandal school, bhilwara; Khush gurnani, iV a, Jankidevi
Public school, Jaipur; P. Dharshini, Viii a, Vidyaa Vikas Mat. hr. sec. school, Pudukottai

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