MY_FIRST_SNAKE_ARTICLE
Meet the Bush viper.A celeb in the snake world!
Austin Stevens,a renowned
Herpetologist ,wildlife author, photographer, film maker and the host of a very
popular snake and animal show on animal planet called “Austin Stevens’
adventures”,replied me when I enquired
about this red colour snake…….
“Beautiful” the man says …. I used to get gooosebumps
everytime I heard someone sayin “snake”. If that’s your feeling right now I say
its only very natural . Your opinion over these reptiles is a product of the
most untrue and ignorant gossips about these creatures you are hearing since
you were born.
On Seeing thepicture of this
magnificient reptile what is the first thing that came to your mind ? The first
thought that struck me was “ Is this picture photoshopped?” I couldn’t believe
my eyes. So I surfed over the web and got to know its not fake.I was interested
in herpetology previously but after I encountered this beauty in the web I
thought my first article should be on this snake.This snake is called the bush viper. Biological name : Atheris
Sqamigera. I shall tell you more about it in the later paragraphs.
For now lets talk snakes..
Snake –that infamous reptile most
of you got chased in your sleep……that
sacred avatar of God you might have prayed to …….that MISUNDERSTOOD creature that gave you goosebumps everytime
you tuned to animal planet wheres this creature coils itself in the remotest
un- used corner of an old roof or pile of rubbish occupying the least space , but still humans
don’t hesitate to kill it……
Most people are afraid of these
creatures because of a very common thought of being attacked by these reptiles
or thinking it might chase them.. ..well, it actually does……in T.V SERIALS!!!
Lets say,You’r walking in a jungle suddenly
you trip,fall and end up lying face to face with a wild cobra .Now you are
scared,staring death in the face,well you know how much, but biologists say,
the snake is twice as scared as you are , when it encounters a human .
Considering the size of a human being, a snake can never be confused with him
for a prey ,so a snake does not have any reason to attack him but for the pure
purpose of self defense in a threatened situation.
According to a survey every year
more people die being struck by a lightening bolt than by getting bitten by a
snake.Out of the 3 thousand species of snakes present on our planet NOT more than 10 percentage of them are
equippedwith the potent venom to kill a human.
Another study states that the
snake is less likely to inject venom when it strikes in self defence than when
it attacks its prey.Thus Most cases of snake bite turn out not life
threatening.
A snake is like any of your favourite wild
animal it strikes with its mouth if you manage to stamp or provoke it. Snakes are usually considered very slimy and freakish.The
truth is they are not, they are damn silky& smooth .
Snakes can be basically ,be
classified into venomous and non venomous …further ,the venomous bunch are
equipped with a pair of fangs that are attached behind their eyes to the venom
producing glands and these fangs could be back
fangs , front fixed fangs, hinged front fangs… depending on their species.
The Spitting Cobras have hollow fangs
which can spray venom aiming our eyes
upto a range of six feet .Python is a
non venomous snake having upto 150 hook shaped teeth.
After the Snake Genius replied to
my first question I couldn’t control my hunger for getting his opinion on the
most questioned question…..so I posted it on his wall and I was lucky he
replied again.
(Also a bush viper)
Now the Bush viper , equipped well with a pair
of back hinged fangs that inject a good dose of Hemotoxic venom which effects
our blood cells, is arboreal in nature,making these reptiles found mostly on
trees.
The Bush Viper
with elliptical pupils, keeled (not flat ) scales and an astounding colouration
are a treat for even a non snake lover’s eyes.
The venom is deadly, causing the victim to go through
hemorraging , pain and swelling.Wikipedia claims there were near death cases
recorded.Maybe this deadly venom is the reason why these snakes are still
hanging around. Snake venom is of 4 basic types
1.nurotoxic,2.cytotoxic,3.cadiotoxic,4.hemotoxic. Cobras have neurotoxic
venom,the green vine snake has cyto toxic venom while
the twig snake possess
a very deadly hemotoxic venom for which no antivenom has been found..
Blue colour can you believe it? Did you know blue colour snakes existed?
There are snakes
that managed to get the name flying snakes..
There are snakes that have beautiful eyelashes..
There are a few snakes that bleed from their mouths to
pretend dead..
A few snakes coil themselves like a ball..for protection.
One of the most venemous snakes in the world, Black Mamba’s
venom contains a better pain killer than morphine called mamba magic ..with no
side effects . morphine has side effects,,, point, Mamba!
Snakes deserve to be loved and understood.
I sincerely wish that the next time you encounter a snake it shall be a
different and a much less scary experience!
Abhishek
BBA - First year
Abhishek
BBA - First year