9-ft-King Cobra, Checkered Keelback: Trikal Chakraborty rescues two snakes from parts of Cachar

Environmental enthusiast Trikal Chakraborty rescued a 9 feet long King Cobra from a house in Allenpur under the sofa set. As per locals, the King Cobra had entered the house in search of another snake which it ate later. Chakraborty had to face difficulties to rescue the King Cobra as the house was congested having furnitures. The snake also showed signs of aggression. Later it was released into it’s natural habitat.

Another snake was also rescued by Chakraborty today. He got a call at around 9 pm from GC College HOD of Chemistry, Abhijit Nath that a snake had entered his brother’s house at First Link Road in Silchar. Chakraborty went to their house and discovered that the snake was checkered keelback. He rescued the snake and released it into the natural habitat.

The checkered keelback (Fowlea piscator), also known commonly as the Asiatic water snake, is a common species in the subfamily Natricinae of the family Colubridae. The species is endemic to Asia and it is non-venomous.

Most of the time this snake tries to raise its head as much as possible and expand its neck skin mimicking a cobra hood and intimidate the threat. Though it is non-venomous to humans, it can deliver a painful bite which is inflammatory.

Fowlea Piscator may lose its tail as an escape mechanism. A rare case of such autotomy is reported from Vietnam.