10 Most Venomous Snakes Found In India

India is home to about 300 snake species among which 60 are most venomous. Let’s take a look at some most poisonous snakes in India.

King Cobra: Living in dense forests, bamboo clusters, cool swamps, and rainforests in India, these snakes can grow up to 18 feet long. Their venom can kill a human within 30 minutes of bite if not taken anti-venom or hospital immediately.

Banded Krait: Found in the coastal areas, this snake is seen with clear cross bands of black and yellow colour on its back. Growing up to 3 feet long, their venom targets the neural system, causing paralysis, respiratory failure, and eventually death.

Russell’s Viper: These nocturnal venomous snakes, mostly active at night, can grow up to 6 ft. Seen in black or brown colour, their venom destroys blood cells and tissues and can kill within 45 minutes of bite if an anti-venom is not taken.

Common Krait: With the ability to kill a person within 45 hours of bite, these snakes can grow up to 3 ft. Their venom attacks the nervous system, causing respiratory damage and paralysis that eventually leads to death.

Indian Cobra: These large venomous snakes grow up to 6 ft, and account for the most number of snake bites in India. Their poison attacks our nervous system and one can die within 2 hours of bite if not taken anti-venom or hospital.

Malabar Pit Viper: Found in the Western Ghats of India, in habitats like forests, plantations, and even urban areas, this snake has a unique ability of camouflage, where they blend in the surroundings by changing their skin colours. Its venom causes pain, swelling, bleeding, organ failure, and death.

Bamboo Pit Viper: Living in bamboo, vines, and bushes of the Western Ghats in South India, this snake can grow up to 2.5 ft. With a heat-sensing system, this snake can locate its prey by detecting infrared radiation from their bodies. Its venom causes organ damage and death.

Hump-Nosed Pit Viper: Found in South India’s hilly regions, thick forests, and coffee plantations, this snake can be recognized with brown or black colour with a clear hump on their noses. Its venom causes severe pain and bleeding that leads to organ damage and death.

Andaman Pit Viper: Found in the Islands of Andaman and Nicobar, this snake can grow up to 2 feet and is mostly active at night time. Mostly of brown and green colour with darker crossbands, its venom causes tissue death.

Saw-Scaled Viper: Also known as "little Indian viper", this snake is relatively small, growing up to 2 ft long. Coming with a zig-zag pattern on their backs and in black/brown colour, the venom of this snake causes bleeding, swelling, and severe pain leading to organ damage and death.