Pakistani snakes and their types

(Syed Abdul Wahab Shah)

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I have a habit when I study a particular topic, then for the next one to two weeks or one to two months, I continuously study the audio, visual, or written material on the same topic, so as to get a good knowledge of the topic. For last couple of months I was studying about snakes, surprisingly I didn’t find any material in urdu language about snakes from any pakistani govt or non govt organization on internet, but indian videos have great details, training, Training, and information available.

Click here to see this article in Urdu language with pictures

Searching on the internet revealed that only Muhammad Sharif Khan has done a lot of work on snakes in Pakistan, but unfortunately, all his work has been done in his language, not for Pakistanis, but for the people of Europe and America.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) in Islamabad has a subsidiary that develops vaccines to protect against snake venom. Although this institution was established forty to fifty years ago, it was established only on paper, it did not start regular work, and then finally fifteen years ago, it was given under the leadership of an army officer. and started making vaccines. No one does any work in our country without military boots and without batons and then they say why the army intervenes. You see, it was the army that started the work with innovation on the highways, and now the army has also taken up the burden of modernizing Pakistan’s agriculture.

In Pakistan, a snake is killed immediately on sight, while on the contrary, in all countries of the world, snakes are caught and left alive away from the population, this is because Allah Almighty has not created anything in vain. of Snakes play a very important role in the earth’s ecosystem, which is why snakes are protected in all countries of the world. Just to give you an example, in our wheat and other crops, the mice make a lot of burrows underground and steal our crops and take a large number underground, obviously to our detriment, this problem. To remedy this, God created the black cobra and other similar snakes to control the rat population, which benefits us.

What to look for, just look at India in your neighborhood, there are regular educational institutions that train, train and teach how to find snakes in homes, then safely capture them, and release them safely away from the public. goes After taking these courses of snakes, these people perform this task very well. I am interested in doing such a course myself but till now to the best of my knowledge I have not found any government institute in Pakistan that teaches people how to catch snakes or courses on types of snakes and their pros and cons. .

Cause of death due to snake bite:

In Pakistan, 40,000 snake bites are registered annually, of which only 3,000 people die. Remember that 80% of all snakes are non-venomous, only 20% are venomous. There are two reasons for the number of deaths due to snake bites around the world, including in Pakistan:

1. Fear That is, people are very afraid of snakes, in the case of a bite, the heart beats faster due to fear, the blood pressure becomes high, which causes the poison to spread rapidly in the blood and cause early death, and many more. People get bitten by non-venomous snakes and still die of heart attacks just out of fear.

On the contrary, people who are not afraid, have courage, even get bitten by dangerous poisonous snakes like cobra, Russell viper, they reach the hospital, take the vaccine and survive.

2. Another reason is that people don’t immediately go to the hospital and start trying tricks. Remember, getting medical treatment of the disease is the first priority according to Shari’ah, Dum Darood comes second, so try to get to the hospital first to get the anti-venom vaccine.

Important thing

If someone is bitten by a snake, not all snake vaccines are the same, but there are three types of venom and three types of vaccines. Therefore, it is very important that when someone is bitten by a snake, if possible, take the snake to the hospital or at least show the doctor a picture of the snake so that the patient can receive a neurotoxin vaccine. Have or have received the humotoxin vaccine. Because the vaccine itself is a minor poison, if it is a homeotoxin poison, the vaccine is administered accordingly, and if it is a neurotoxin poison, the vaccine is administered accordingly. It is just like the theory of Hakeem Iqbal Hakeem Sabir Multani is a singular organ. That is, if there is nerve movement then muscle movement is the treatment and if there is muscle movement then gland movement is the treatment and if there is gland movement then nerve movement is the treatment. And if a person with nervous agitation is given a drug that is itself a stimulant, the patient gets worse instead of getting better.

Types of poison:

1. Neurotoxin Poisoning:

This poison affects the human nervous system and disrupts the nervous system, causing muscle paralysis and breathing difficulties It happens.

2. Cytotoxin Poisoning:

This poison affects the cells that make up the tissues, organs and muscles in our body and starts killing the cells. The effects of this poison include blistering and swelling of the skin, as the tissues and cells die and black spots form on the body. If timely treatment is not done and it is too late, then the limb where the snake has bitten has to be amputated.

3. Haemotoxin poisoning:

This poison affects the circulatory system in the body and starts attacking and killing the red blood cells, causing the red cells to burst and cause internal bleeding in the body. This poison also leads to deterioration of heart health by obstructing the blood vessels.

Law of single organs and snake venoms

According to the single organ law, I think neurotoxin venom produces nerve stimulation. And cytotoxin venom produces glandular stimulation, while hemotoxin venom produces muscle stimulation. This is just my opinion, not confirmed, experts and great scholars can throw light on it.

How is antivenom or antivenom vaccine prepared?

The way to prepare an antidote for any poison is to inject a small amount of the poison, which is not fatal, to the horse. The antibodies are released, so these antibodies are taken out of the horse’s body and stored, and that’s what the vaccine is.

Pakistani snakes and their types

Talking about Pakistani snakes and their species, there are about 300 species in Pakistan and out of these 300 species, only 40 species are indigenous to Pakistan, the remaining species belong to other countries or regions. It is important for a layman to understand that not all snakes are venomous, rather it is more appropriate to say that most species of snakes are non-venomous, and less species are venomous. It is also important to mention that psychology has a great influence in any accident or illness, as snakes are usually a symbol of fear and people start to tremble and lose their senses at the sight of a snake. The body trembles, so in such a case, even if a non-poisonous snake bites, there is a risk of death due to fear. But if people know that not all snakes are poisonous, then it gives hope and encouragement that maybe I was bitten by a non-poisonous snake and if a person bravely confronts and treats the situation, then poisonous snakes. It can also be sliced. Therefore, in today’s article, only the types of poisonous snakes and their symptoms will be discussed.

Just as there are different families of humans, animals, or plants, there are also different families of snakes, of which only four families are venomous, which are as follows:

Venomous families of Pakistani snakes

1. Elapidae (Kraits and Cobras)

2. Viperidae (Vipers)

3. Hydrophiidae (Sea Snakes)

4. Crotalidae (Himalayan Pit Viper)

Now let’s look at these four types in detail

1. The first family of snakes Elapidae

Note: Elapidae snakes have neurotoxic venom. There are two types of Elapidae. One is a crate and the other is a cobra Crates There are three species of rattlesnakes in Pakistan:

1. Common Crete (Bungarus caeruleus) Pakistani snake

Bungarus caerulus Common Krait snake Pakistani snake The common krait is also known as the rattlesnake and is also called the silent killer because it likes the heat of the human body very much and quietly sneaks into the bed and enjoys the body heat, but if it is buried under the body, it will immediately die. bites and runs away, and its bite hurts only as much as the bite of a mosquito, and there is no wound on the body, so a person does not know that I have been bitten by a snake, And if the diagnosis is not made within two to four hours after the bite and the vaccine is not given, then the person dies.

It is a nocturnal snake rarely seen during the day. Often in the rainy season they come out and come to a dry house, their food is mice, frogs, chicks and small animals like them.

Common rattlesnake releases neurotoxin venom, which causes paralysis, abdominal pain, shortness of breath. And death occurs in four to eight hours if antivenom is not administered.

2. Sindhi Crete (Bungarus sindanus)

sind krait Snake Sindhi Krait Pakistani snake Since this snake is found abundantly in Sindh province of Pakistan and is a local snake, it is called Sindhi Krit. It is also a highly venomous snake that contains neurotoxins and exhibits common crippling symptoms.

3. North Punjab Crete (Bangarus sindanus razai)

Northern Punjab Crete Pakistani snake It is also a subspecies of Sindhikrait, and is a venomous snake.

Cobra Snake

Another type of elapid snake is the cobra snake. There are two species of cobra in Pakistan:

1. Black Cobra (N. naja)

2. Oxus or Brown Cobra (N. oxiana)

1. Black Pakistan Cobra Naja naja karachiensis

The black cobra is found in southern and eastern Pakistan, while the brown cobra (N. oxiana) is found only in northern Pakistan. Black cobra is the longest venomous snake in Pakistan. The black cobra with white stripes is also called king cobra, which means the king of cobras. It is such a fearsome and brave snake that wild animals even lions and elephants run away from it. Due to its large size, this snake also eats Russell’s viper and other venomous snakes.

2 Oxus or Brown Cobra Naja Oxiana

Oxus or Brown Cobra Naja Oxiana Cobra snake While there is a third subspecies, the Spectacle Cobra. This cobra has a lens-like mark on the back of its tail. It is mostly found in India but also exists in Pakistan.

2. Another family of snakes

Viperidae (Vipers) The second family of venomous snakes in Pakistan consists of five genera with seven species and some more subspecies. Note: Viper snakes have hemotoxin venom.

1. Russell’s or Chain Viper (Daboia russelii)

Russell’s or Chain Viper daboia russeli viper Russell Viper Pakistani snake
This snake occurs in dry or rocky areas near rivers. While some of its species are also found in the mountains. It has tough skin and three lines like China on its body. Its head is larger than its neck and is shaped differently from other snakes due to its triangular head. This snake is very angry and aggressive. When it is in attack mode, it forms an S shape. .

Russell’s or Chain Viper daboia russeli viper Russell Viper Pakistani snake
This snake has hemotoxin venom. Some snakes bite but do not release poison, but in the case of a snake bite, there is a 80% chance that it will release poison. After the bite, there is a lot of burning, pain, the flesh starts tearing and the kidneys are also affected.

Russell’s or Chain Viper daboia russeli viper Russell Viper Pakistani snake
If the anti-venom vaccine is given within two to four hours, it is saved, otherwise death occurs. This snake is the second most venomous snake after the Sangchor.

2. Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus)

Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) Saw-scaled viper Pakistani snake
This snake is popularly known as Khapra, Lindi, and Jalebi snake. This snake forms the shape of an English C and strikes very quickly and recovers in a second. Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus) Saw-scaled viper Pakistani snake
It is the smallest snake in length, and hides camouflaged in wheat-colored sand, mud, or stone, with only the eyes protruding from the mud or sand to hide the rest of the body.

It also contains humotoxins. Since it is found in populated areas, it causes many deaths.

3. Sochureki or Eastern Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus sochureki)

Sochurek’s or Eastern Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus sochureki) It is named after Eric Suchorek, an Australian herpetologist. This snake is also found throughout Pakistan and especially in dry hilly areas and Pishin district of Balochistan.

4. Multiscale or Transcaspian hundred-scaled viper (Echis carinatus multisquamatus)

Multiscale or Transcaspian Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus multisquamatus)
In Pakistan, this snake is found along the Afghan border, along the Hindu Kush Mountains, in the northeastern Balochistan region. It also contains humotoxins.

5. Echis carinatus astolae (Echis carinatus astolae)

Astola Saw-scaled viper (Echis carinatus astolae) Pakistani snake
This snake is found in Stola Island in the sea near Makran district of Balochistan. It is also very dangerous and poisonous snake.

6. McMahon’s Leaf-nosed Viper (Eristicophis macmahonii)

Macmahon’s or Leaf Nosed Viper (Eristicophis macmahonii) It is found in the border areas of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and the desert areas of Baluchistan and Chagai, Nushki. Its head is very broad and flat,

It sinks into the sand with only the eyes sticking out. Feeds on birds, lizards and rodents.

7. Persian Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes persicus)

Persian Horned Viper (Pseudocerastes persicus) Persian horned viper snake This horned snake is found in Balochistan. It often sits in mountains and rocks camouflaged in rocky color to hunt.

8. Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder (Macrovipera lebetina)

Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder (Macrovipera lebetina) Levantine Viper or Mountain Adder Snake  This snake is found in the mountainous regions of Pakistan and Kashmir. It is also a poisonous snake.

3. The third family of snakes

Sea Snakes Hydrophiidae

There are many species of sea snakes that are found in oceans around the world, but only 14 species have been recorded so far in Pakistan’s coastal waters.

1. Stokes’ sea snake (Astrotia stokesii)
Stokes’ sea snake (Astrotia stokesii) Stokes’ sea snake
It is one of the largest sea snakes with very large teeth.

2. Beaked sea snake, or Kadian sea snake (Enhydrina schistose).
It is a highly venomous sea snake.

3. Dwarf sea snake or many-toothed sea snake (Hydrophis caerulescens)
Dwarf seasnake or many-toothed sea snake (Hydrophis caerulescens)

4. Annulated sea snake or blue banded sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus)
Annulated sea snake or blue-banded sea snake (Hydrophis cyanocinctus)

5. Striped sea snake (Hydrophis fasciatus)
Striped sea snake (Hydrophis fasciatus)

6. Persian Gulf Sea Snake (Hydrophis lapemoides)
Persian Gulf sea snake (Hydrophis lapemoides) Persian Gulf sea snake

7. Bombay sea snake (Hydrophis mamillaris)
Bombay sea snake (Hydrophis mamillaris) Bombay sea snake

8. Ornate Reef Sea Snake (Hydrophis ornatus)
Ornate reef seasnake (Hydrophis ornatus) Ornate reef sea snake

9. Yellow sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis)
Yellow Sea snake (Hydrophis spiralis)

10. Shaw’s sea snake (Lapemis curtus)
Shaw’s sea snake (Lapemis curtus) Shaw’s sea snake

11. Microcephalophis cantoris (Microcephalophis cantoris)
Cantor’s small-headed sea snake (Microcephalophis cantoris)

12. Beautiful small-headed sea snake or slender sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis)
Graceful small-headed sea snake or slender sea snake (Microcephalophis gracilis)
The bite of this snake does not hurt but after thirty minutes its dangerous venom starts working and symptoms like paralysis appear.

13. Yellow-bellied sea snake or pelagic sea snake (Pelamis platurus)
It is also a venomous sea snake. The venom of this snake contains several different neurotoxins and two other isotoxins.

14. Viperine sea snake (Praescutata viperina)
Viperine sea snake (Praescutata viperina) Viperine sea snake Its shape resembles a ground viper. It is a non-venomous semi-aquatic snake.

4. The fourth family of snakes

Gloydius Himalayan Pit Viper
There is only one species of pit vipers in Pakistan, belonging to the genus Gloydius. It is found in the mountains of the northern region of Pakistan, its head is larger than the body and flat. It is also a very poisonous snake. It is the only snake in the world that was found even at an altitude of 5000 meters above sea level. Is.

While venomous snakes were mentioned, it is important to mention another important snake in connection with the topic, because this snake is also very common in our country, and it is mentioned in many stories and parables.

Python or dragon python

As for snakes and not for pythons, it cannot be. Although Python is not related to my topic because it is not a poisonous snake, but still worth mentioning.

Because of its shape and size, humans are probably most afraid of pythons or dragon snakes, but the interesting thing is that dragons are not poisonous. However, since its mouth, teeth and size are large, it can cause a lot of injuries, like an animal biting a dog etc.

Python can be twenty to thirty feet long and weigh several manats, its color is yellow, golden, etc. like Russell Viper. And big animals, dog, goat, cat etc. are swallowed whole. When it catches someone, it clings to it and presses it hard. Its teeth are curved inwards, so when it grabs something and sinks its teeth into it, one cannot get rid of it unless it releases itself, because its teeth are curved inwards and the grasped object is outwards. If you push, the teeth will go in further.

The python found in Pakistan is actually the Indian rock python, which is found in large numbers along the Indian border in Sanghar region of Sindh and Kotli and Bhimbar regions of Azad Kashmir, besides being seen in Mansehra Hazara regions.

One of the characteristics of this snake is that different things are made from its skin, so now people have started farming this snake. In India, the babies were hatched mechanically from its eggs and left in the forest. go Two snakes
Another interesting thing here is that all such snakes known as Du Monhi are non-venomous and rarely bite. Two-mouthed, i.e. those whose head and tail are equal in size and it is not known which side the head is on, i.e. both sides of the mouth are the same, such snakes are usually chocolate colored and small in size, shy. are, are not poisonous. Non-venomous doesn’t mean you should handle it yourself, remember this is a job for an experienced person, and there are subtle differences between venomous and non-venomous snakes, which you won’t learn by reading this article. So don’t try to catch any snake by hand, this information is only so that if any accident happens, don’t be too scared but go to the hospital immediately.