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India.com
26-05-2025
- Science
- India.com
This village is called 'Cobra Capital of India/, has highest snake population in the country, name is..., located in...
Snakes are undoubtedly one of the most mysterious creatures in the world. They are a part of several cultures. In some cultures, these creatures represent evil and in others, they are worshipped like gods. In India, people worship these creatures. Especially cobras have a significant place in Hindu mythology. The Indian cobra is often associated with Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Hindus celebrate Naga Panchami to honour snakes. However, these venomous serpents are among nature's deadliest hunters and they show no mercy on their prey. Apart from myths and worships, there are some regions in India that are known for their high snake populations. One such place is located in Western Ghats of Karnataka. Agumbe Village The small village covers 3 square km at an elevation of about 2,700 feet. It is also termed as the 'Cherrapunji of the South' because of its weather and heavy rainfalls. The village has a population of around 600 people. Agumbe is surrounded by dense rainforests, beautiful waterfalls and hills. All these make it a paradise for nature explorers. Rich Wildlife Unique and rare fungi such as Meliola agumbensis, Tarenna agumbensis, Hygromaster agumbensis, and Dactylaria agumbensis are discovered here. All these discoveries are named after the village. Cobra Capital Of India Agumbe is the house of the king cobra and it is the area's flagship species. In this village famous herpetologist Padma Shri Romulus Whitaker established the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS). It is the place where the country's first radio telemetry project on king cobras was started. Herpetologists usually works in the field observing creatures in their natural habitats. They also observe their behaviour, physiology, genetics, and evolution. Notably, Herpetologists play a crucial role in conservation efforts, especially for endangered species. The king cobra, the world's longest venomous snake, plays an important role in maintaining ecological balance. As a top predator, it mainly feeds on other snakes—including dangerous ones like kraits and cobras. This helps keep the snake population under control, which in turn supports a healthy food chain. Without predators like the king cobra, certain snake species could grow in number too quickly, potentially leading to issues like habitat degradation, spread of disease, or shortage of food for other animals.
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Cobra Capital of India: The Indian village has the highest snake population in the country
In Indian culture, snakes have long been prayed to, but they have also been frightening creatures. In ancient scriptures and modern-day rituals, serpents, especially cobras, have a significant place in mythology and daily life. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The Indian cobra, with its iconic hood and deadly venom, is often associated with deities like Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Festivals such as Naga Panchami celebrate these creatures in Hinduism. However, beyond the myths and festivals, certain regions in India are known for their high snake populations. One such place is Agumbe, a small village in the Western Ghats of Karnataka. Often referred to as the " Cobra Capital of India " Which Indian state has the highest population of snakes? Located in the green Western Ghats of the nation is Agumbe, a tiny village in Karnataka covering just 3 square kilometers at an elevation of about 2,700 feet. It is also popularly called the "Cherrapunji of the South" because of its heavy rainfall. With a small population of around 600 people, the area is surrounded by hills, dense rainforests, and waterfalls, making it a paradise for nature explorers and wildlife researchers. Apart from that, Agumbe is home to rich wildlife. Unique fungi like Meliola agumbensis, Tarenna agumbensis, Hygromaster agumbensis, and Dactylaria agumbensis have all been discovered here and named after the village. This region also houses many exclusive species of the Western Ghats, such as the Malabar gliding frog, Malabar hornbill, and the Malabar pit viper. It's even known to have rare and majestic animals like melanistic leopards and solitary tusker elephants. Cobra Capital of India Perhaps the most iconic resident of Agumbe is the king cobra , which is the area's flagship species. Agumbe is the village where renowned herpetologist Padma Shri Romulus Whitaker established the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station (ARRS), where India's first radio telemetry project on king cobras began. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The king cobra is also known to be the world's longest venomous snake, and plays a crucial role in the local biodiversity by controlling the population of other snakes as an apex predator in its habitat. Unlike most snakes, its diet primarily consists of other snakes, including venomous species like kraits and other cobras. By keeping the snake population in check, it helps regulate the food chain and prevents overpopulation of certain species, which could otherwise disrupt the ecological balance. Credits: Canva
