Dead Snakes can still bite: Moodbidri Doctor’s warns of lesser-known danger
Moodbidri: In a rare but significant medical advisory, senior clinician and medical researcher Dr. Sadananda Naik of Alva’s Health Centre, Moodbidri, has raised an alert about the hidden danger of venomous bites from dead snakes.
In a review article recently published in the reputed international medical journal Transactions of Royal Society Trop Med Hyg. 2025, Dr. Naik highlights the serious risk posed by dead or decapitated snakes. His study, titled Envenomation by Dead Snakes: A Review, points out that venom can remain active for several hours or even days after a snake’s death.
The article explains that the nerves in a snake’s head and neck can continue to function briefly after death, making reflex bites possible. This means that even a lifeless snake, or one that has been killed and decapitated, can still bite and inject venom when triggered.
Dr. Naik refers to several documented cases from around the world where individuals have been bitten while handling dead snakes, leading to serious health emergencies. In many such instances, victims were unaware of the danger and required urgent medical attention, including antivenom treatment and intensive care.
“This is especially common when people touch the snake’s head, try to take photos, or keep the severed head as a trophy,” Dr. Naik noted. He added that many people, especially in rural areas, are unaware of this risk and tend to treat dead snakes casually.
Dr. Naik has issued a strong advisory urging farmers, rural residents, and people living in snake-prone regions to avoid touching or handling dead snakes with bare hands. “A dead snake is not a safe snake,” he warned. Instead, he recommends using sticks or tools to move carcasses and disposing of them safely away from homes and animals.
The review also calls for increased public awareness through educational campaigns to ensure that communities understand the risks and adopt proper safety measures.
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South Africa beat India by six wickets in 1st Women's T20I
Durban (PTI): South Africa skipper Laura Wolvaardt struck a fluent 51 as the hosts defeated India by six wickets in the opening Women's T20I here on Friday.
Chasing a modest 157/7, built around captain Harmanpreet Kaur's 33-ball 47, South Africa overhauled the target in 19.1 overs to go 1-0 up in the five-match series.
Wolvaardt and Annerie Dercksen (44 not out) shared a crucial 52-run stand for the third wicket, which formed the backbone of the comfortable chase.
Earlier, India got off to a brisk start through Shafali Verma, who made 34 off 20 balls, while Jemimah Rodrigues (36 off 29) and Harmanpreet stitched a 71-run stand to lift the total.
Brief scores:
India 157 for 7 in 20 overs (Jemimah Rodrigues 36, Harmanpreet Kaur 47 not out; Ayabonga Khaka 3/16).
South Afrcia 158 for 4 in 19.1 overs (Laura Wolvaardt 51, Annerie Dercksen 44 not out; Shreyanka Patil 2/26).
