Hyderabad: Around 520 snakes have been rescued in Hyderabad this December, which is significantly higher than usual, due to colder than usual weather, according to experts.
Typically, snakes are less active during winter. Experts attribute the unexpected rise in rescues to the changing weather. Among the sightings, snakes have been found in walls, residential areas, and even unusual places like stove cylinders. Large rock pythons have also been spotted crossing roads at night.
In addition to these unusual sightings, experts have observed cobras mating during winter — a behaviour that usually occurs in late February or March. “Cobras in this region mate between late February and mid-March, ensuring hatchlings emerge during the monsoon when food is abundant,” explained Avinash Visvanathan, general secretary, Friends of Snakes Society.
This shift in behaviour highlights the growing impact of changing weather patterns on wildlife.
The increase in rescues is also attributed to heightened public awareness, with more people reporting snakes rather than harming them.
To stay safe, experts advise keeping surroundings clean, sealing holes to deter rodents (a primary food source for snakes), using flashlights when walking at night, and inspecting hidden areas before reaching into them.
The most commonly rescued snakes include spectacled cobras and rat snakes, followed by checkered keelbacks and Russell's vipers. Cobras account for approximately 45 per cent of rescues, while rat snakes make up around 28 per cent.
