Some advice from Harvey the Goan snake catcher ….

"Help, there's a snake in my house. Do something!"

We answer innumerable phone calls like this, from all over Goa. As animal lovers, people expect us to drop everything and rush to their door. Sometimes we do, but sometimes we wish people would just help themselves!

"Help, there 's a snake in my house. Do something!"

  Is the snake really in your house? Or is it in your garden? Or in the storeroom?
If it is in the garden leave it alone. It will go away of its own accord. Even a huge 3 - metre python that is digesting a bandicoot will be gone by morn.

Is it in the storeroom? Again, leave it be. It has come to rid your storeroom of rats, and is doing you a favour.

A lady called up frantically from Fontainhas, Panjim, claiming there was a snake in her showcase. I rushed to her house to catch the snake. She pointed to a corner of her showcase, only it wasn't a snake she singled out. It was a broken tea pot handle!

 It is in your living room! Are you the terrified, high strung type who faints at the sight of a snake. If you're not, pick up a stick - no, don't hit it - gently lift it up, use two sticks to grip it better if necessary, or a curved rod … take it outside and release it. You'll feel real good …

What if it is a poisonous snake and you really would like to desist? Is the snake hissing? You need to be wary of four snakes found widely all over Goa. Three of them -- the Binocellate Cobra, Russel's Viper and Sawscaled Viper - will warn you by hissing. (The python also hisses, but it is non-poisonous … and we all know what pythons look like!) The rarely found Krait will not hiss, but use a broom to sweep it into a big bucket and then release it elsewhere.

For detailed descriptions of snakes, refer to 'Common Indian snakes' by Romulus Whitaker.

A cousin of mine from Mapusa once found a small snake in his garden. He scooped it into a bottle, using a dustpan and handed over the snake to us. It was a full grown adult Sawscaled Viper!.

  "Help ! There's……" Very well, call the volunteers of the Forest Department's Wildlife Rescue Squad. Their services are free, open 24 hours a day, and after catching the snake they release it unharmed into a suitable habitat. Beware of 'snakecatchers' who besides indulging in cruel practices like defanging snakes, also consider it their mission in life to instill a morbid fear of snakes in the general public - and charge a hefty fee for their histrionics.

We have nothing against snake catchers who charge a reasonable sum for services rendered, but consider it unfortunate that they also claim to possess supernatural powers such as the ability to summon snakes by whistling, or to ward off snakes by wearing a black thread, etc.

In fact, a certain group from Poona come to Goa a few years ago to verify the claims of a notorious snakecatcher from Taleigao, who bragged his 'whistling' could draw snakes out into the open. Our 'pied Piper' from Taleigao refused to demonstrate his 'talents'.

  Important: Once you're called for help, seal all escape routes, like doors, windows or holes in the wall. Have someone reliable watch where the snake goes - especially when you call for help. Snakes are excellent at hide 'n' seek, and it is not unusual to turn the place upside down and still not find the snake, because no one bothered to keep an eye on it. So unless you intend to spend a sleepless night wondering when the snake will come crawling up your bed, we suggest you constantly monitor the snake's movement. Don't worry, it won't gobble you.

  Snakes tend to ignore "Don't trespass" signs, but there are other ways to keep them at bay. Desist from using fishing nets as 'fences' or to cover wells. These are veritable death traps for snakes. Water tanks should be kept covered, unless you like the sight of a striped keelback or even a Cobra swimming in it the next morning. Open poultry pens attract not only civet cats, but also the neighbourhood pythons, who can easily locate warm blooded prey, thanks to heat receptors on their lips. Cobras will feast on hen's eggs, so ensure that the coop is well protected. Logs and tiles piled against the house are also good places to find snakes.

  Finally, lets take a quick look at all the terrific tales about snakes that people swear are true.

. Snakes are vengeful creatures. If you hurt a Cobra, its mate will follow you and take revenge.
FALSE.
. Cobras love milk, and have a diamond on their hood.
FALSE. Cobras can actually choke on milk if it is poured down their windpipe… but we do wish they had diamonds on their hoods.

. Snakes have two heads.
FALSE. The red sand Boa has a blunt tail, that can be mistaken for a head. Snake charmers sometimes use pins to prick holes in the tail; to give it the two headed appearance.
. The Green whip snake will drill a hole into your head.
FALSE. The green whip snake is actually a beautiful snake to hold, and has no such plans.
. If you ride over a snake, the snake will follow you to your house and bite you.

   FALSE, but drive carefully, and remember that dogs and snakes have right of way.

. If a snake bites you, you will die in 2 minutes.
FALSE. Keep calm, and proceed immediately to a government hospital like the GMC, Bambolim. Do not go to any private doctor for treatment of anti - venom, they will rightly refuse to do so.

  Remember, snakes are not fearsome, repulsive ogres out of a horror movie. If they encounter human beings, they are the ones who are more frightened and will flee, if given the opportunity. They have an important place in our food chain, that of keeping the rodent population in check. It is indeed a pity that they are treated so shabbily.

If you would like to read more about snakes, you can check out Rahul's web pages

  Finally here are the phone numbers of the Goa Forest Department Wildlife Rescue Squad.