Most of us remember the first time we heard a snake hiss. It’s a sound that seems to skip thinking altogether. The body freezes, the heart jumps, and the immediate instinct is to run away!
Snakes are those slithering venomous creatures, which one would rarely want to encounter, and spotting them sends chills down a person’s spine.
But in India, where fields, farms, villages and city edges sit close to wild spaces, keeping a deliberate distance from these slitherers has saved many lives. Snakes are not out to hurt people, and for most of them, a bite is a last resort.
But before that, they try to send a message to be left alone. That message comes in different forms, some snakes rattle their tails, some spread a hood, and some puff up and make a loud noise.
One snake is especially well known for sending this message through it famous tail rattle known as the ‘Whistle of death’ : The Russle’s Viper, and it is also among the most dangerous snakes in South Asia.
Let’s dig in to find out what this snake looks like and how to keep a safe distance from it.Photos: canva
