Indian Species of Snakes in The Natural Habitats of Subcontinent

Indian subcontinent is home to approximately 10 percent of the total snake species found in the world including the four venomous snake species responsible for causing the most human snake bites. Indian Subcontinent is uniquely qualified habitat for the reptiles with a wide range of prey for venomous and non-venomous snakes, the dense and dark forest of India help them to grow big.

Pythonidae

-Reticulated Python

The reticulated python is the longest and largest snake of Indian Subcontinent and are the world’s longest snake and longest reptile too but not the most heavy. Asiatic reticulated python is not considered dangerous to humans but is powerful enough to kill an adult human.

-Indian Rock Python

Indian Rock Python is a large nonvenomous python species found in Indian Subcontinent, fairly common throughout the jungles of India. Ajgar snake is common Indian name of Python molurus and reaches usually upto 3 metres or 9.8 ft.

Elapidae

-The King Cobra

The King Cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world and can reach as tall as an adult human. A King cobra is considered as the most dangerous snake and preys on other snakes including rat snake,lizard and mouse.

-Indian Cobra

Indian Cobra is largely found in and around the Indian subcontinent and is categorized under Naja family. The Spectacled cobra species is a large, highly venomous snake and part of the Big Four Family and refereed as one of the most dangerous snake in India.

Colubridae

-Indian Rat Snake

The oriental ratsnake is a common species of colubrid snake found in Indian Subcontinent and pose no threat to humans. Indian rat snake or Dhaman are frequently found in urban areas where rodents thrive.

-Checkered Keelback

The checkered keelback is a common species of nonvenomous snake found in India,found in or near freshwater lakes or rivers. The species of Colubridaeis snakes are commonly found in water such as dog-faced water snake.

Bungarus

-Indian Krait

The common krait or Indian krait is the species of highly venomous snake found in the jungles of the Indian Subcontinent and inflicting the most snakebites on humans in India. This species has a  wide variety of habitats found in paddy fields, jungle,rat holes, even inside houses.

-Banded Krait

Bungarus is a genus of venomous elapid snakes and Banded krait is the largest species of kraits found in the world. Banded krait snake found on the Indian Subcontinent and grow up to 2.1 m (6 ft) and the largest species of krait.

Viperidae

-Russell Viper

Daboia or Russell’s viper is one of the most dangerous snakes of Indian Subcontinent. Being a member of the big four snakes in India, Russel’s Viper responsible for thousands of fatalities every year in Asia.

-Pit Viper

Pit vipers are venomous snakes that use heat-sensing pits to hunt their prey,The venomous pit vipers species in India includes Malabar Pit Viper, Andaman Pit Viper,Mangrove pit viper,Bamboo Pit Viper and Horseshoe pit viper.

Boidae

-Indian Sand Boa

Red sand boa commonly known as Indian sand boa a nonvenomous boa species endemic of Indian Subcontinent and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. Indian Sand Boas occurs throughout the drier areas of India,Poaching and smuggling of this creature is very alarming.