[supremeBaleno]

Ouch, that was bad. Other than the Cobra, the other 3 of the Big 4 can be confusing to identify from their similar-looking non-venomous cousins.

BTW, did he say what feature made him identify it as a wolf-snake ?

[Samurai]

There are more than one snake that mimics a banded krait.

http://www.snakecharmerbook.com/excerpt2.html

[anujmishra]

In our apartment in Whitefield, Bangalore there were lots of snakes mostly Cobra used to roam during rainy season. That area was snake manifested. I got some contact of snake catcher and called him on 3 - 4 ocassion to catch.

Only after someone suggested that we should get of apartment treated with anti snake things. We did treated our apartment with expert snake control and in last two years there were no spotting of any snakes in complex.

[drivingme.crazy]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

...BTW, did he say what feature made him identify it as a wolf-snake ?

Characteristics for identification**:
A small size snake found commonly inside human habitation (This is frequently misidentified as venomous snake Common Krait) General characters to distinguish between Common Wolf vs Common Kraits are:

1. Short length (average length of 60cm to 84cm maximum) vs Medium length (average length of 100cm to nearly 150cm maximum)
2. Light of brown color vs Glossy black with blue or purple tint.
3. Yellowish bands vs Milky white bands.
4. Broader bands vs Fine bands in paired or unpaired form.
5. Bands on posterior body absent or very faint with most prominent bands on anterior side vs Bands on posterior body prominent than those found anteriorly.
6. Head always bear a thick yellow collar vs head and much of neck region without any pattern or band.
7. Absence of hexagonal scales on the top of dorsal (all dorsal scales of similar shaped) vs Presence of large size hexagonal scales on the top of dorsal which are much larger than adjacent scales.
8. Paired subcaudal scales (scales under the tail) vs Unpaired (undivided like ventral scales) subcaudal scales

**credits: http://www.indiansnakes.org/content/common-wolf-snake

PS: Nice website, that one. Looks like they have an iOS app too.

[supremeBaleno]

Nice website indeed. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, the first commandment there says "THOU SHALT NOT CATCH A SNAKE BY THE NECK".
Why is that ? I thought most handlers catch the snake by the neck (after the tail that is).

[drivingme.crazy]

Originally Posted by supremeBaleno

Nice website indeed. Thanks for sharing.

BTW, the first commandment there says "THOU SHALT NOT CATCH A SNAKE BY THE NECK".
Why is that ?

I guess that's not for the experts. People who have no experience, can hurt the snake by putting too much pressure in an attempt to hold it tight (because that's what you do when adrenaline drives you). In addition, one mistake, the snake can quickly bite you in the hands.

[t18]

Can the experts please ID this snake?

[Samurai]

Looks like rat snake. BTW, I am not an expert, just going by the many sightings I have done.

[princezahed]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Looks like rat snake. BTW, I am not an expert, just going by the many sightings I have done.

It is a rat snake no doubts on that.

[akshay4587]

Spotted these snake trails today Morning in the fields at our farm.

[PatchyBoy]

Originally Posted by akshay4587

One more reason to gear up, stay safe from snake bites.

That looks like a python. Doubt if it would bite. That said, seeing a snake's head pop-up near the handle bar when riding a bike will surely freak anyone out, unless it is the rider's pet snake

[mallumowgli]

Originally Posted by PatchyBoy

That looks like a python. Doubt if it would bite. That said, seeing a snake's head pop-up near the handle bar when riding a bike will surely freak anyone out, unless it is the rider's pet snake

That looks more like a viper. From a search in the web, this could be Malayan ground pit viper

Once bhpian fazalaliadil picked up the Russel's viper thinking that it is a Python

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/travel...rest-ever.html

[sudev]

Definitely not python. Scary to have such a travelling company.

I once had a lizard climb my arm on the back seat of a cab. That was scary enough.

[PatchyBoy]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

That looks more like a viper. From a search in the web, this could be Malayan ground pit viper

Originally Posted by sudev

Definitely not python.

I still think it is a Reticulated Python from the markings


A Malayan ground pit viper would look more like this

[princezahed]

Originally Posted by mallumowgli

That looks more like a viper. From a search in the web, this could be Malayan ground pit viper

Which snake are we trying to identify?? If its the one posted by t18, it is a rat snake. Absolutely no doubt about it since I have caught a few of those myself.