Natural India: Snakes

 Natural India: Snakes

Snakes hold a fascination for people around the world, reflected in epics, mythology, art, legends, folklore, religious poetry, music, dance, fiction, and now even films. India's natural heritage extends from snake charmers to information technology.Snakes belong to the reptile order Squamata, and India is home to 262 species, of which 56 are venomous. Venom serves as a hunting tool, a means of self-

defense, and a digestive aid. Not every snakebite is fatal. Often, fear and shock are the cause of death.                                                       The python (Python molurus) is one of the largest and most widespread non-venomous snakes in India. Generally a forest dweller, it is also found in dense and open forests with rocky terrain. Often hiding among tree branches, the python is an adept tree climber and a good swimmer. It feeds on mammals, birds, and reptiles, but mammals are its preferred prey. They are hunted extensively for their skin. The python is listed as an endangered species in the First Schedule of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. 

The bright green snake (Trimeresurus gramineus) is a tree-dwelling species of snake found in the hills of the Western Ghats. These snakes are not found below an altitude of 450 meters. They are found in areas with less vegetation, especially those with abundant bamboo. Their upper body is grassy green and their underside is bright white, yellow, or green, providing camouflage in their primary habitat: trees. They feed primarily on small mammals and birds. Although their venom is not highly toxic, the bite causes pain and swelling, and the bitten person may experience a cold, vomiting, and fever. This snake gives birth to 7 to 15 young at a time.

The king cobra, or hamadryad (Ophiophagus hannah), is the world's largest species of venomous snake. Although it is not commonly found in India, it is present in the dense forests and surrounding areas of the hills of peninsular India. It has established a reputation for ferocity and courage that is perhaps unique among Indian species. Like the cobra, it can raise its head and body to a height of one-third of its length and spread its hood. The main food of this species is snakes. The female, by curling her body into a circle, builds a nest of leaves and sand. In this nest, she lays eggs, piles straw over these eggs, and sits coiled on them.

The flying snake (Chrysopelia ornata) is a tree-dwellingIt is a charming snake that often descends into grass and bushes. A graceful and agile tree climber, it easily climbs upright trees and branches. It has been observed many times jumping horizontally and vertically, and swaying from a height to reach the ground or other trees. While swaying in the air, it straightens and stiffens its body, empties its stomach, and makes its body float, slowing down its descent. In this way, it can cover a distance of up to 50 meters in a single jump.

The Department of Posts brings to the attention of these fascinating, mysterious and fascinating creatures by releasing this set on snakes in the Natural India series. The set is being released to coincide with the publication of the 100th issue of the Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS).

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First Day Cover:

Courtesy of Bombay Natural History Society

Postage stamp

: Shankha Samanta

Distortion

Alka Sharma




NATURE INDIA: SNAKES

Snakes hold a fascination for people across the world, a fascination reflected in epics, myths, art, legends, folklore, religion poetry, music, dance, fiction and now, films. The ethos of India swings from snake charmers to information technology.

Snakes are members of the Order Squamata of reptiles and 262 species are reported in India of which 56 are venomous. The venom serves them as a means to capture prey, a self defence mechanism and a digestive aid. Not all snake bites are fatal. Often the fright and shock alone kill the victim.

The Python (Python molurus) is one of the largest and most widely distributed non-venomous snakes in India. Normally a jungle dweller, it occurs in dense as well as open forests, with rocky areas. The Python is a good climber, often hiding among branches of trees and is also an excellent swimmer. It feeds on mammals, birds and reptiles, but seems to prefer mammals. Killed in large numbers for its skin, the Python is an endangered species included in Schedule-1 of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The bright green Bamboo Pit-Viper (Trimeresurus gramineus) is one of the tree dwelling, hill species in the Western Ghats and not seen below 450m. It is found in low vegetation, with a marked preference for bamboo in localities where it occurs. Grass green above and glossy white, yellow or greenish below, its colours provide a camouflage on trees, its prime habitat. It feeds mainly on small mammals and birds. Though its venom is not very toxic, it causes pain and swelling of the bitten part, nausea, vomiting and fever. The snake gives birth to 7-15 young ones at a time.

The King Cobra or Hamadryad (Ophiophagus hannah) is the largest species of

Indian Post

INDIA POST

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TECHNICAL DATA

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Date of Issue

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Postage stamp

Stamps

miniature sheet

Miniature Sheet

of postage stamps

number per sheet

Number of Stamps

per sheet

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perforation

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paper

12.11.2003

500, 500, 500, 500 paise/P

2.9 x 3.91 cms.

2.9 x 3.91 cms

Eight lakhs each

0.8 Million each

fifty thousand

50000

40

four colored

Four Colour

13 x 13

13 x 13

Imported without watermark

stamp paper

Paper

Imported un w/m Adhesive

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Madras Security Printers

Madras Security Printers

© Department of Posts, Government of India. The Department reserves all rights in respect of the stamps, first day covers and information brochures.

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Designed and produced by the Department of Posts and printed at S. Narayan & Sons, New Delhi

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