A large area of India has warm climatic conditions. These conditions are favorable to snakes and as a result over 250 snake species are found in India. Most snake species in India are non-venomous, but those that are venomous are some of the most dangerous snake species in the world. India also has some of the longest snakes in the world. This article discusses the top 5 longest snakes in India.
Top 5 longest snakes in India
Burmese python
Burmese python or Python bivittatus is a python species found in India mainly in the eastern and northeastern regions. Pythons are non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by constriction. The Burmese python is typically 13-16 ft long but can reach a length of above 18 ft, sometimes even above 20 ft.
An excellent swimmer, the Burmese python is generally found near marshes, swamps, and grasslands, and occasionally on trees. These snakes are not only long but heavy as well, particularly females who may weigh more than 50 kilograms.
King Cobra
King Cobra or Ophiophagus hannah is the longest venomous snake in the world. These snakes are generally 10-15 ft long. Equipped with a neurotoxin venom, King Cobras inject a large amount of venom (over 400 mg) when they bite. Some experts believe that this extraordinary amount of venom can kill 20 people, even an elephant.
Indian rock python
Another python species on this list, the Indian rock python sometimes called just “India python”, is the third-longest snake species in India. These snakes easily reach a length of above 10 ft. Indian rock python is generally lighter colored than the Burmese Python.
Many times Russel’s viper, a highly venomous snake is mistaken for a small Indian Python. It is advised to always call for a rescue if you spot a yellowish or brownish snake with a blotched pattern.
Indian rat snake
Indian rat snake as the name suggests is a rat-eating snake. Typically 5-6 ft long, these snakes are non-venomous. Indian rat snakes are found throughout India. Human encounters occur mainly in crop fields.
Banded krait
Banded Krait is a venomous snake found mainly in the central and eastern regions of India. With a triangular cross-section, and alternate yellow and black bands, the snake can be easily identified. Banded kraits are also typically 5-6 ft long.
Other big snakes in India
Spectacled cobra
Probably the most found venomous snake in India, the spectacled cobra/Indian Cobra is generally 4-5 ft long. Old cobras easily grow beyond the typical length. As it is frequently encountered in India, antivenom for cobra bites is easily available.
Common Krait
The common Krait is considered the most dangerous snake in India. The snake if bites, injects a highly dangerous neurotoxin that can kill a person in a matter of hours. These snakes are generally 3-5 ft long.
Russel’s viper
Russel’s viper snakes are generally seen in Central and Southern India, rarely in Northern India. 3-4 ft in length, these snakes have one of the most dangerous venoms in the entire world.
The longest snake species in the world, the Reticulated Python is found in India but is extremely rare, hence not included in the article.
It should be noted that many factors affect an individual snake’s size. This article is based on typical lengths.
Read more