Shocking! 10 king cobras found in Nepal, and here's why it is alarming
Recently, in the last month, a surprising and unheard-of phenomenon has been seen in Nepal. Ten highly venomous snakes, including nine king cobras and one monocled cobra, have been found in and around Kathmandu, Nepal.
These snakes, normally found inhabiting warm, tropical areas, are hardly, if ever, seen in mountain areas with higher altitudes. And yet, they are now being found just 160 kilometers from Mount Everest, in places famous for their colder, mountainous weather.
This sudden occurrence has sent warning bells among researchers and wildlife experts, who point out that it could be more than a one-time incident. Experts say that it could be an indication of the growing effects of climate change.
Which cobras were found?
The snakes found in Kathmandu are two species:
1. King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
This is said to be the longest venomous snake globally, measuring 18 feet long. The king cobra loves living in dense Indian and Southeast Asian forests. Its occurrence in cold, high-altitude areas, such as those surrounding Kathmandu, is very rare and something to be worried about.
2. Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia)
It is identified by the round disc "monocle" mark on its hood.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Mix 4 Kitchen Ingredients, Wake Up Thinner Every Morning
Health Now
Undo
It generally inhabits the hot, lowland regions of South and Southeast Asia, the rice paddies, marshes, and swamps. Like the king cobra, it does not inhabit mountain terrain.
Why the find is alarming is that these snakes weren't merely moving through forests. They were spotted in urban residential areas like Bhanjyang, Gupaleshwar, Sokhol, and Phool Chowk, some even within homes and courtyards. Rescue squads trapped and set the snakes free into surrounding forests without any harm.
However, discoveries of snake nests and eggs in these forests show that they may also be reproducing in these cooler spots.
Climate Change as a Driving Force
Climate change has been referred to by scientists and conservators as a likely cause of this unusual migration of tropical snakes into Nepal's mid-hills and mountains.
Research indicates that the temperature in Nepal's mountain region is rising at a rate of approximately 0.05°C every year, a rate higher than that found in the nation's low-lying Terai region.
This warming is forming new "microclimates" in higher elevations where species that were once limited to hot and humid environments can now survive and even flourish.
Human activity may be another possibility.
In addition to climate change, human action might also be responsible for this spread. Subodh Acharya, a rescue instructor, says that snakes might be unknowingly carried on trucks bringing agricultural products like hay or timber from the Terai lowlands to the highlands.
As the recent invasion of poisonous snakes in Kathmandu is raising new issues, it should not be overlooked that existing threats in southern Nepal are still present. The Terai belt is still a snakebite hotspot where fatal bites occur.
Every year, around 2,700 individuals succumb to venomous snakebites in the Terai. Women and children are especially at risk. This highlights the ongoing risk snakes present to human life, one potentially now spreading into new areas due to global warming and human migration.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Can weight loss drugs like ozempic affect male genitalia ? A fact-check of the bizarre viral claim
A bizarre theory has taken over social media and Reddit forums in recent weeks: the claim that Ozempic—the diabetes and weight loss drug—can increase penis size. What began as anecdotal posts on Reddit has now snowballed into viral speculation, with some users attributing significant 'growth' in their genitals to the medication. But is there any truth to this? Let's unpack the incident, the science, and what medical experts have to say. The Reddit buzz: Where the theory began The conversation appears to have started on Reddit, where several male users taking Ozempic or similar GLP-1 drugs shared personal experiences. One user wrote, 'I recently measured myself down there and noticed I gained about one inch. Now I think people will say it was because of the fat loss. However, at the time I measured myself before (4 years ago), I was thinner. I also pressed during measurement before, and also this time. Has anyone else noticed this change in themselves?' Another Redditor added, 'Yes. I gained 1.5 inches in length. No joke. Like you I obviously know how long I was before I got very fat. Then after about seven months on Tirzepatide in my case I gained 1.5 inches in length. Definitely not all from weight loss.' What do the experts say? There is no peer-reviewed research confirming a direct link between Ozempic and an actual increase in penis size. However, experts have explained that any perceived changes are likely due to weight loss—specifically, the reduction of fat around the pubic region, which can make more of the penis visibly exposed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List This creates the illusion of growth, but does not reflect an actual increase in size. According to , the average penis size in the UK has increased from 5.17 inches to 5.63 inches between 2022 and 2024—nearly a 10% rise. In Venezuela, a far more extreme jump was reported: from 1.42 inches to 6.67 inches in the same period. Dr. Richard Viney, consultant urological surgeon at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, commented on the findings in an interview with , saying: 'Men's penises shorten as they get older (due to) increasing body fat and increasing prostate size drawing the penis back into the body. It is theoretically possible that new drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, which are used to treat diabetes and obesity, respectively and can cause people to lose weight, could also be a factor. As men lose weight, their penises appear larger.' Meanwhile, a broader trend has also caught researchers' attention. A 2023 study in the World Journal of Men's Health found that average penis size globally had increased by 24% over the past 30 years. Yet, scientists remain unsure about what exactly is driving this change. Dr. Michael Eisenberg, who authored the study, told Stanford Medicine's Scope blog: 'Any overall change in development is concerning, because our reproductive system is one of the most important pieces of human biology. If we're seeing this fast of a change, it means that something powerful is happening to our bodies.' Can Ozempic increase penis size? Based on current evidence, the short answer is no, Ozempic does not directly cause an increase in penis size. What some men are observing is a visual difference due to weight loss, particularly around the pubic area, which can make the penis appear longer. This is a matter of perception, not actual growth in tissue or length. There is no clinical data proving that semaglutide (Ozempic's active ingredient) has any physiological effect on male genitalia. The claims floating online are largely anecdotal and should be treated as such until further scientific research is conducted. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Axiom-4 launch: Space station leak concerns can further delay lift-off of mission carrying Indian Gaganyatri
The Axiom-4 (Ax-4) mission, which is expected to carry four astronauts to the International Space Station, has already faced postponement four times. Now, a new concern has emerged for India's Shubhanshu Shukla, former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, Poland's Sławosz Uznański and Hungary's Tibor Kapu. Shukla will be only the second Indian astronaut in space, after Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission. The launch of Axiom-4 has been postponed indefinitely owing to concerns of a leak reported from the International Space Station. Owing to the issue, NASA said Thursday that it would monitor the cabin pressure on the Russian side of the ISS before the mission is launched. However, NASA assured that the seven astronauts already in the ISS were safe, adding that operations on the space station can not be affected following the leak. The cabin pressure leak on the Zvezda service module is being handled by the country's space agency. However, recent repairs to resolve the issue led to 'a new pressure signature', according to NASA. However, no other details on the issue have been provided yet. However, the delay of Axiom-4 opens up time for NASA and the Russian Space Agency to carry out evaluations and see whether there is a need for more repairs. The three Russian astronauts who are currently on the space station had already inspected the walls of the service module, sealing a few areas and finding out the current leak rate. The mission was postponed for the fourth time on Wednesday evening. It will carry a four-member crew on a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft to the ISS. This includes Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot Shubhanshu Shukla, who is the mission pilot, Peggy Whitson, the mission commander, and mission specialists Sławosz Uznański and Tibor Kapu. The launch was initially scheduled for May 29. Speaking on the delay, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman V Narayanan said that a leakage had been detected in the propulsion bay.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
How will the Ahmedabad plane crash victims be identified as families await answers amid tragic aftermath?
In the wake of the devastating Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad, authorities are now focused on the grim task of identifying the deceased. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, en route to London, crashed shortly after takeoff from Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport on Thursday afternoon, carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members. The massive scale of the tragedy has complicated identification efforts, requiring the use of DNA testing to determine the identities of the victims. DNA Testing: A Crucial Step in Victim Identification With bodies charred beyond recognition, officials have turned to DNA profiling as the primary method for confirming the identities of those who lost their lives. Union Home Minister Amit Shah confirmed in the media briefing that DNA sampling is currently underway, and identification will only be finalized after this process is completed. Dhananjay Dwivedi, Principal Secretary of Gujarat's Health Department, stated that DNA testing is being conducted at BJ Medical College in Ahmedabad. Families of victims have been asked to submit DNA samples, particularly parents and children of those presumed dead. These samples are essential for comparison against tissue retrieved from the crash site. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you eat ginger every day for a month, your body will experience the following phenomena Tips and Tricks Undo Samples are being collected at Kasoti Bhavan of BJ Medical College, with special provisions made at Civil Hospital. To assist families, helpline numbers—6357373831 and 6357373841—have been issued for inquiries related to victims and those injured. Scientific Process Behind DNA Matching As per DNA identification works by comparing Short Tandem Repeats (STRs)—repeating sequences in DNA that differ among individuals. While most of the human genome is similar across people, these STR regions vary and allow scientists to distinguish individuals. In India, nine core STR loci are routinely used for forensic identification. By matching these regions between samples from crash victims and their relatives, forensic teams can accurately confirm identities. Although this method is highly reliable, it is not instantaneous. Extracting viable DNA from remains and running comparative analyses can take days, especially in mass casualty situations. Moreover, the emotional toll on families awaiting confirmation adds another layer of urgency and sensitivity. Scene of the Crash and Current Relief Measures Visuals from the crash site showed the aircraft engulfed in smoke and flames, with debris scattered over residential quarters near the airport. Prime Minister Narendra Modi swiftly directed Home Minister Amit Shah and Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu to oversee rescue efforts on the ground. According to officials, 50 people were injured in the crash, many from the Meghaninagar locality, and are being treated at Civil Hospital. All are reported to be in stable condition. One passenger, Vishwaskumar Ramesh, miraculously survived. He was seated in 11A and was travelling with his brother. He is currently admitted in the trauma ward at the hospital.
