The Snake Trying
- Thinking about the Poem
- What is the snake trying to escape from?
Answer: The snake is trying to escape from people who are chasing it away with a stick, fearing it might be dangerous.
- Is it a harmful snake? What is its colour?
Answer: No, the snake is not harmful; it is described as “harmless.” Its colour is green.
- The poet finds the snake beautiful. Find the words he uses to convey its beauty.
Answer: The poet uses words and phrases like “beautiful and graceful,” “small and green,” and “glides along the water” to convey the snake’s beauty.
- What does the poet wish for the snake?
Answer: The poet wishes that the snake be left alone and allowed to live freely, away from harm.
- Where was the snake before anyone saw it and chased it away? Where does the snake disappear?
Answer: The snake was lying quietly on the sand before being seen. When chased, it disappears swiftly into the water among the green reeds.
- About Snakes
- Find out as much as you can about different kinds of snakes. Are they all poisonous? Find the names of some poisonous snakes.
Answer: There are nearly 3,000 species of snakes around the world, found in a variety of habitats. Most snakes are non-poisonous (non-venomous). Only about 10–15% of snake species are venomous. Many snakes, like pythons, boas, and rat snakes, are harmless. Some well-known poisonous (venomous) snakes include:
- Indian Cobra (Naja naja)
- King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah)
- Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus)
- Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii)
- Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus)
- Black Mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis)
- Inland Taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus)
- Coral Snake (Micrurus species)
- Boomslang (Dispholidus typus)
- How to find out whether a snake is harmful
Answer: There is no universal rule, but some features can help identify venomous snakes:
- Head shape: Many venomous snakes have a triangular or broad head.
- Eyes: Elliptical (cat-like) pupils are common in venomous species while round pupils are more often non-venomous.
- Color patterns: Many venomous snakes have bright or warning colors, but not always.
- Behavior: Some venomous snakes display warning postures such as rattling their tail or flattening their bodybestlifeonline.com+2.
- Presence of heat-sensing pits: Present in vipers and pit vipers.
It’s important to remember these rules are not foolproof—some non-venomous snakes mimic venomous ones.
- Traditional knowledge about handling snakes in India
In India, some communities—especially snake charmers and traditional snake catchers—have deep knowledge about snakes. These skills are often passed down within families from childhood. They are able to identify snakes and safely handle them, often catching even poisonous snakes with bare hands using specific techniques and tools. Such communities play a role in rescuing snakes from homes and relocating them safely
Summary Table: Poisonous vs. Non-Poisonous Snakes
| Aspect | Poisonous (Venomous) Snakes | Non-Poisonous (Non-venomous) Snakes |
| Example species | Cobra, Krait, Viper, Black Mamba, Coral Snake | Python, Boa, Rat Snake, Garter Snake |
| Identification | Triangular head, bright colors, warning postures | Usually round head, dull colors |
| Habitat | Diverse – forests, grasslands, deserts, water | Diverse |
| Risk to humans | Bite can be dangerous or fatal | Generally harmless |