Herpetologists warn of increased snake bites

by Dhaneshi Yatawara

Sri Lankan herpetologists have forewarned the island’s farmers on possible snake bites in the coming yala harvesting season. This danger can easily be prevented by taking a few precautionary measures. “Mainly, people need to minimise factors which attract these reptiles to houses or farmlands to prevent possible snake bites,” senior herpetologist Anslem de Silva said.

According to de Silva, people can seal the rodent holes found in the ridges of paddy fields to control the large number of rodents drawn to paddy in the harvesting season. Thereby, they can minimise attracting snakes.

“In Sri Lanka we have nearly 100 species of land snakes, but only four are capable of causing death to a human. Only 40 species have venom glands,” de Silva said. The four species of snakes with deadly venom are Russel’s viper (thith polanga), krait (karawala), cobra and hump-nosed viper (polon thelissa).

Wearing shoes while working in the fields or when walking at dusk would prevent snake bites.