Chilling discovery: 10 venomous king cobras found in Nepal; Scientists say it's a warning of a major disaster
monocled cobra
— have been found in and around Kathmandu, Nepal. These snakes are usually found in hot, humid places like swamps, rice fields, and forests. But now, they're showing up just 160 kilometres from Mount Everest, in a much colder, mountainous region.
Experts say this is not just a one-time incident. It may be a serious warning about the growing effects of climate change.
Which Cobras Were Found?
1.
King Cobra
(Ophiophagus hannah)
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The world's longest venomous snake (up to 18 feet).
Lives mostly in dense forests in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines.
It's extremely rare to see them in cold, high-altitude places like Nepal's mountains.
2. Monocled Cobra (Naja kaouthia)
Recognised by a round 'monocle' mark on its hood.
Found in South and Southeast Asia, usually in lowland areas, marshes, and rice fields.
Not normally seen in mountain regions.
Snakes Found in Homes and Towns
These snakes weren't just found in forests — they were seen in residential areas like:
Bhanjyang
Gupaleshwar
Sokhol
Phoolchowk
Rescue teams caught the snakes from people's homes and courtyards and safely released them into nearby forests. Even more worrying, snake eggs and nests have been found deep in the forest — showing that the snakes might be breeding in these cooler areas.
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What's Causing This? Experts Speak Out
Climate Change
Scientists believe the snakes didn't just accidentally wander into these areas. Rising temperatures in Nepal's hills and mountains are likely pushing these snakes to move upward into new habitats.
Research shows that temperatures in the hill and mountain regions of Nepal are rising by 0.05°C every year — even faster than in the flat Terai region.
This warming creates new microclimates where tropical snakes can survive and even thrive.
Human Activity
Another possible reason, says rescue instructor Subodh Acharya, is that the snakes may have hitched a ride in trucks carrying wood or hay from the lowlands (Terai) to the mountains. This kind of unintentional transportation could introduce the snakes to new areas.
Snakes Still a Major Threat in Southern Nepal
While recent attention is on high-altitude sightings, the Terai region continues to suffer from dangerous snakebite cases:
2,700 people die each year from venomous snakebites in southern Nepal.
Women and children are the most affected.
This shows that snakes are a serious danger to human life, whether due to climate change or other reasons.
(
Inputs from TOI
)
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