Careful with walks: 15,325 venomous snakes caught in Kerala

Monday 20 February, 2023 | 12:45 AM

KOTTAYAM: The dark untrodden roads with creepers should evoke caution in everyone. Many venomous bites are cloistering in these potholes and shrubs along your pathway at night. Almost 15,325 venomous snakes were caught in two years in Kerala. These are surreal numbers considering the previous record.

According to the forest department, vipers and cobra are the frequenters while python and king cobra has increased their visits to many households even in the city. 137 king cobra was caught and released back into the forest in this two years' time. Apart from the forestless Alappuzha, all the other 13 districts saw the presence of the deadly king cobra. 3712 snakes were caught from Kannur while most cobras and vipers were caught from Alappuzha. In just a year, 36 people died of snake bites.

Flood and sand mining

Alappuzha has more venomous snakes than districts with forests
Snakes that were caught from central Kerala districts with forests - less than 500
Snakes caught from Alappuzha- 680
During floods, water carried snakes from the districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta
During floods, water carried snakes from the districts of Kottayam and Pathanamthitta
36 people died last year due to snake bites

Snakes caught from each district

Kannur- 3712

Kottayam- 1635

Wayanad- 1616

Thiruvananthapuram- 1415

Thrissur- 1146

Kozhikode- 1120

Malappuram- 1013

Ernakulam- 1005

Alappuzha- 680

Kasaragod- 578

Kollam- 554