A rat snake was rescued from the campus of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in South Delhi and a cobra was rescued from the campus of the Air Force Central Accounts Office in Subroto Park, Dhaula Kuan on Wednesday. This follows the sighting of another rat snake at Rajghat by a DTC employee earlier this month and that of an Indian rock python in Aya Nagar. But this should’nt be a matter of worry.
Snakes are an important component of our natural environment and commonly encountered even in urban areas especially during the monsoon and this year, too, residents have reported sightings of various species of the reptile.
Although the presence of snakes is a good indicator for the Capital's ecology, distress calls to snake-rescuers by residents indicate that most people believe all snakes are harmful. But that is not the case. So, here's a primer.
The National Capital Region (NCR) abuts both the Aravali hills and the Ridge area which are forest areas especially inviting for snakes during the rainy season. This rainy season too the commonly seen snake species witnessed were the Rat Snake, Cobra and the Black Headed Royal Cobra, Giant Python, Juvenile Python and Indian Rock Python.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), Delhi recorded "moderate" rainfall till September; the chances of snakes being visible are higher as the quantum of rainfall increases. An increase in the presence and visibility of the reptile is expected Tughlakabad, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Aya Nagar and the Ridge belt near Shankar Vihar and residents seem a bit panicky at the prospect. But snake rescuers, wildlife activists, environment scientists and ecologists emphasised that every species of snake is not harmful for humans; in fact, only a minority of about 10 species of the 300 found in India are.
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "Finding a python in urban areas is not uncommon... they usually wander out from open, forest areas into adjoining human habitations when their underground burrows get flooded."
He added, "Indian Rock Pythons (Python molurus) are often mistaken to be dangerous because of their size and they face extreme threats due to ignorance among the public. Not many people are aware that pythons are non-venomous."
Wildlife experts believe that many species of snakes have adapted extremely well to living with humans. Speaking about snakes' behaviour, he says snakes usually prefer to retreat when encountered but can become defensive if threatened. "Most snake bites are received by people who try to capture or kill a snake." But people are slowly learning about these beautiful creatures celebrated in Indian mythology and dharmic traditions. When Cobras were rescued respectively from Delhi Race Course premises and the basement of factory in DSIIDC, Bawana, recently, snake-rescue teams were called who removed the beautiful although dangerous reptiles without harming them.
Explaining about the behaviour of Cobras, Satyanarayan said,"Cobras seldom bite; but if they feel threatened they will give out a warning sign by displaying their hood. They use their venom primarily to hunt prey like rats, mice and frogs. People get accidentally bitten only when they step on the snake or an untrained person attempts to catch or handle these snakes," he said. "Dealing with venomous snakes can be quite challenging even for experts."
One more incident was seen when a four foot long juvenile Indian Rock python was found coiled up on a scooter in a residential colony in Aya Nagar, Phase-5. "I was shocked to find the snake coiled up on the deck of my scooter. As we are closer to the outskirts of the city, there are many forested areas nearby and we often find snakes in the neighbourhood. We are grateful to the Wildlife SOS team for their quick response to our call, even in the late hours of the night", said Kiran Kumar who found the Python. During the monsoon season many reptiles struggle to find a safe habitat in the deforested cities and end up in habitats."
Growing habitat destruction and encroachment is rapidly blurring the lines between cities and forests. Consequently, the wildlife living in proximity to such expanding areas has no choice but to forage or seek shelter in urban habitats," he said.
"Most snakes are burrowing reptiles and they spend most of their time underground but during monsoons their homes get destroyed due to flooding and are forced to venture into human habitations, in search of rodents and lizards," he added further.