10 venomous snakes found in Goa

CRASPDEDOCEPHALUS MALABARICUS

Commonly known as Malabar pit viper, Malabar rock pit viper, or rock viper, this is a venomous pit viper species that is endemic to the Western Ghats. Its venom causes moderate pain and swelling in humans.

CRASPEDOCEPHALUS GRAMINEUS

Known as the bamboo pit viper, Indian green pit viper, or common green pit viper, this is a venomous pit viper species found in bamboo groves and forests, usually near streams. It is called chapdo in Konkani. Its venom is hemotoxic and neurotoxic.

HYPNALE HYPNALE

This is a venomous pit viper species endemic to India and Sri Lanka. Common names include the hump-nosed viper. It derives its name from its unique hump-like nose.

OPHIOPHAGUS HANNAH

Commonly called king cobra, this is a venomous snake endemic to Asia. It is the largest snake found mostly in bamboo grooves and deep forests of Goa. Its toxins affect the victim's central nervous system, resulting in severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and eventually paralysis.

ECHIS SP

Called as saw-scaled viper, this is a common venomous snake found in Goa. It is known as furshe in Konkani. This snake is quick-tempered and strikes readily, which, combined with a virulent hemotoxic venom, makes it very dangerous, despite its small size.

DABOIA RUSSELII

Also called Russell's viper, this snake is common in Goa and is called ghonas in Konkani. Once bitten by this snake, the person will experience pain at the site of the bite, immediately followed by swelling of the affected extremity.

NAJA NAJA

Commonly known as the Indian cobra, this snake is found in Goa and is traditionally considered a friend of farmers. However, its venom acts on the synaptic gaps of the nerves, thereby paralyzing muscles and in severe bites leading to respiratory failure or cardiac arrest.

CALLIOPHIS CASTOE

Also called, Castoe's coral snake, it is found in semi-evergreen and wet forests in the central part of Western Ghats across Maharashtra, Goa and Karnataka.

CHRYSOPELEA ORNATA

Commonly called as ornate snake or a flying snake, it is capable of a type of gliding flight. It is a mildly venomous snake found in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary in Goa.

BUNGARUS CAERULEUS

Also known as common krait or Bengal krait, it is a species of highly venomous snake found in Goa. It is also a member of Big Four family. It is called kaner in Konkani.

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