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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Punishment for those disrupting assembly proceedings, warns Speaker UT Khader
Belagavi: Speaker U.T. Khader on Friday warned that members who disrupt Assembly proceedings by talking in their seats during debates will be made to sit in the House for an entire day as a disciplinary measure.
The warning came after the Question Hour, when Deputy Leader of the Opposition Arvind Bellad was permitted to initiate a discussion on the development of North Karnataka.
At this point, expelled BJP MLA Basanagouda Patil Yatnal objected, stating that he had been seeking a debate for the past three days but had not been given an opportunity.
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Responding to the objection, Speaker Khader said Bellad had already been granted permission and assured Yatnal that he would be allowed to speak at the next opportunity. He noted that even as a serious discussion was underway, several MLAs were speaking among themselves with their microphones on, disrupting the proceedings.
Expressing displeasure over the conduct of members, Khader likened the situation to football, where players receive red, yellow, or white cards for violations. Similarly, he said, the Assembly issues warning cards to members who disturb the House. If they fail to correct themselves despite repeated warnings, they would be required to remain seated in the Assembly hall for a full day as punishment, he stated.
