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Time of India
2 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
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.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Science
- NDTV
King Cobras Found Near Mt Everest, Here's Why Experts Are Worried
Experts have raised concerns after a total of 10 venomous snakes - nine king cobras and a Monocled cobra - were captured near Mount Everest in Nepal in a span of one and a half months, T he Kathmandu Post reported. These snakes were rescued from four different locations - Gopaleshwor, Bhanjyang, Sokhol and Fulchowk areas - officials at the Dakshinkali Municipality confirmed to the news outlet. King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake. Its venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes, but the amount it releases in a single bite is powerful enough to kill 20 people or an elephant. Here's why their presence near Mount Everest is concerning King cobras and Monocled cobras, both snakes, are mostly found in the Tarai regions in parts of southern Nepal and northern India. As the temperature continues to rise, they are now found nesting in hilly and mountainous areas as well. "Those snakes were rescued from houses and compounds with the help of a snake rescuer and were released in the nearby forest. Locals have also found King Cobra eggs and nests in nearby jungles," Jaya Thapa Magar, chair of the municipality's ward 1, told The Kathmandu Post. The experts are worried as the presence of these snakes in colder regions could be because of climate change, with experts suggesting that rising temperatures might be driving these tropical snakes to higher altitudes. If this change continues, it will impact the region's ecosystem. Subodh Acharya, a snake rescue trainer from Mithila Wildlife Trust, Janakpur, told the outlet, "These snakes might have come to the Valley with logs and hay in trucks, but have already made habitats here." The rescued venomous snakes have been released there, with Mr Acharya urging people to be vigilant while they are in the forests. Climate change in Nepal In the past few years, Nepal has witnessed extreme weather events linked to climate change. The maximum temperature in Nepal is rising at a rate of 0.05 degrees Celsius per year. King cobras are listed as vulnerable in the National Red Data Book of Nepal and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. Habitat destruction, human conflict and snakebites are significant threats to king cobra populations. A report published in March 2022 in The Lancet, which is a leading international medical journal, highlighted that incidents of snakebite and resulting deaths are common in the Tarai districts during the summer. Each year, approximately 2,700 people, mostly children and women from Nepal's Tarai region, lose their lives because of snakebites.
News18
3 days ago
- Climate
- News18
Deadly King Cobras Spotted Near Mount Everest, Experts Call It A Climate Change Sign
Last Updated: Experts believe the snakes' sudden presence in the hills and mountains may be a result of changing climate patterns. Some of the world's most venomous snakes have been turning up in the Kathmandu Valley. Over the past one and a half months, 10 highly venomous snakes – nine King Cobras and one Monocled Cobra – have been rescued from different parts of the Valley, a region which is closer to Mount Everest. According to The Kathmandu Post, officials from Dakshinkali Municipality said the King Cobras were rescued from areas like Gopaleshwor, Bhanjyang, Sokhol and Fulchowk. 'Those snakes were rescued from houses and compounds with the help of a snake rescuer and were released in the nearby forest," said Jaya Thapa Magar, chair of the municipality's ward 1. Locals have also reported spotting cobra nests and eggs in nearby jungles. King Cobras, the world's longest venomous snakes, usually live in dense forests of India, Southeast Asia and the Philippines. It is extremely rare for them to appear in the cooler, high-altitude areas of Nepal. The Monocled Cobra, known for the circular marking on its hood, is typically found in lowlands and wetlands. 'These snakes might have come to the Valley with logs and hay in trucks but have already made habitats here," Subodh Acharya, a snake rescue trainer from Mithila Wildlife Trust, Janakpur, told the outlet. He said he has rescued king cobras from several areas of the Valley, including Dakshinkali, Syuchatar, Gokarna, Godawari and the Sisneri area of Makwanpur. Experts believe the snakes' sudden presence in the hills and mountains may be a result of changing climate patterns. Nepal is among the countries most vulnerable to the effects of climate change and has seen more extreme weather over the past 15 years. Data shows that the maximum temperature in Nepal is rising by 0.05°C every year which is faster than the rise in minimum temperature which is 0.03°C annually. According to the report citing meteorologists, hilly and mountain districts are warming faster than the Tarai that is possibly helping these snakes adapt and survive in new areas. To address the growing risk, the country's Ministry of Health and Population has expanded snakebite treatment centres to over a dozen locations in the hills. Officials have also stocked these centres with anti-snake venom imported from India. The antivenom treats bites from four common snakes: the common cobra, common krait, Russell's viper and saw-scaled viper. However, the saw-scaled viper is not yet found in Nepal. The report mentioned that bites from pit vipers in mountain areas are also on the rise. Current antivenoms are not effective against pit viper venom. First Published:
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Chilling discovery: 10 venomous king cobras found in Nepal; Scientists say it's a warning of a major disaster
In the past month, ten highly venomous snakes — including nine king cobras and one 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) by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If You Eat Ginger Everyday for 1 Month This is What Happens Tips and Tricks Undo 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. Live Events 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 )
Time of India
4 days ago
- General
- Time of India
10 king cobras found near Mount Everest in Kathmandu; experts say this is a warning sign
In the span of one month, ten most venomous snakes including nine king cobras and one monocled cobra have been found in and around Kathmandu. These normally tropical and humid dwellers such as paddy fields, swamps, and mangrove forests were found startlingly near the Himalayan region, mere 160 kilometers away from Mount Everest. In the shocking and horrifying turn of events the presence of king cobras around Mount Everest is not a one-off incident, it is a warning signal of the wide-ranging effects of global warming as per experts. From environmental disruptions to community safety concerns, the fact that these venomous snakes have shown up in colder climates is all the more reason to take immediate action to curb climate change and appreciate biodiversity changes. Here are what experts have to say on this horrifying find of one of the most venomous snakes. Venomous species of king cobras spotted in Kathmandu, Nepal's capital King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah): The longest venomous snake in the world, the King Cobra reaches up to 18 feet in length. As highly toxic neurotoxic venom producers, they typically live in dense highland forests, particularly in India, Southeast Asia, and the Philippines. It is extremely rare for them to be seen in the cool high-altitude areas of Nepal. Monocled cobra (Naja kaouthia): This species, distinguished by the round "monocle" spot on the rear of its hood, is found in South and Southeast Asia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Преносим лазерен заваръчен апарат - последен модел 2024 Murreice Научете повече Undo It tends to live in lowlands, marshes, and paddy fields, not in mountains. Snake sightings spark fear in residential areas The snakes were found in residential areas like Bhanjyang, Gupaleshwar, Sokhol, and Phoolchowk, as per reports in The Kathmandu Post. Rescue operations picked up the snakes from courtyards and houses and released them into forests safely. Rysterious finds like snake nests and eggs deep in the forest indicate that the reptiles could be settling and breeding in the region, indicating a wider ecological shift. Scientists warn climate change is driving snakes into colder regions Scientists are of the opinion that the uncharacteristic movement of such snakes into colder areas are not just coincidental migration. It is increasingly being believed that climate change is forcing these reptiles to move out from their natural habitats. The rising temperature in Nepal's mountainous regions is a major contributing factor. Research indicates that hill and mountain temperatures in Nepal are increasing at a rate of 0.05°C per year, more quickly than in the Terai lowlands. Consequently, warmer microclimates are allowing historically tropical species to survive and even flourish at high altitudes. Snakebite deaths in Nepal 's Terai remain alarming, say scientists Although climate change is a prevalent theory, rescue instructor Subodh Acharya offers a second possible cause. He predicts that the snakes might have been inadvertently carried along with wood or haystacks on trucks moving from low-lying Terai to upper regions. Inadvertent transportation may have aided in opening up the species to new areas. Although most attention has recently been given to high-altitude observations, the Terai continues to experience a serious snakebite epidemic. A total of 2,700 people are killed each year in southern Nepal by venomous snakebites, women and children accounting for the majority of them. This highlights the persistent threat snakes pose to human communities, independent of habitat changes. Also Read | Four new snake species discovered in Papua New Guinea's wild islands
