Thread on Busting some Myths associated with Snakes

#WorldSnakeDay 

Thread on Busting some Myths associated with Snakes 

Myth-1:

* Some snakes are shapeshifters (इच्छाधारी)

Facts:

* NO

* Only on Idiot box or Movies 

Myth-2

* Snakes are revengeful, hv photographic memory

* If you kill a snake, its partner traces you

Facts

* Snake's brain/memory is not so developed. 

* Snakes do not pair for life.

* When you kill a snake it may expel its scent from anal opening, which may attract nearby snake.

Myth-3:

Snakes guard old treasure.

Fact:

Old crumbling houses are ideal for snakes as they find hiding places & food (rats, mice). Earlier, people often buried their wealth. It could be a possibility that a snake and the hidden wealth were unearthed together, giving this image. 

Myth-4:

Snakes can hypnotize.

Fact:

Snakes appear to stare, as they do not have eyelids and cannot blink. 

Myth-5:

Snakes dance to the music of बीन/पुंगी

Facts:

* Snakes lack outer ear, so they can't hear properly. {But they have inner ear, can sense vibrations.}

* Snake moves in response to the waving movement of बीन.

* Snake considers the person & पुंगी a threat and responds to it. 

Myth-6:

Cobras carry नागमणि on their hood/forehead, possession of which can make you rich & powerful

Fact:

NO such thing exists. 

Myth-7:

Snakes drink milk, rather love it

- Cobra: on Nag Panchami 

- Rat snake: suck milk from cows 

Facts:

* Milk is not part of a snake's natural diet, rather may be toxic for them.

* Lactase enzyme, essential for digestion of milk (by breaking down Lactose sugar in Milk), is produced only by Mammals.

* No power of suction.

* On नागपंचमी, it is fed forcefully (dehydrated).

Myth-8:

Sand boa bite/lick causes leprosy.

Facts:

* Sand boa are harmless.

* It has a body pattern that vaguely resembles that of leprosy patients. Blotches on the skin of sand boa have given rise to this false association/notion.

Myth-9:

Vine snake stings on head, and strikes/pierces eyes of humans.

Facts:

* Common vine snake is non-venomous, almost harmless.

* Its pointed nose is soft and rubbery.

* But yes, it can inflict a painful bite; however the fear is exaggerated. 

Myth-10:

Tail of a rat snake can choke a cow and can decompose anything it touches.

Fact:

NO; rat snakes are largely harmless. Infact, they are called "Farmer's Friend". 

Myth-11:

Cobras mate with rat snakes.

Fact:

Snakes mate within their own species.

Myth-12:

Indian sand boa / Red sand boa has 2 heads; 6 months from each side.

Facts:

* NO, its tail is blunt. It fools mongoose & other predators into attacking its tail while the head seeks to escape.

* Snake-charmers may burn/cut their tail & draw eyes on it. 

Myth-13:

Some snakes fly {Half-truth}

Fact:

Snakes of Chrysopelea genus are capable of gliding flight. 

Myth-14:

Snakes don’t have bones.

Fact:

Snakes have skeleton, vertebral column 

Misinformation-15:

Snakes are "Poisonous".

Fact:

A few snakes may be "Venomous".

Myth-16:

Only venomous snakes have teeth.

Fact:

Most snakes have teeth. Only species of snake without teeth is egg-eating snake. 

Myth-18:

Most snakes are venomous.

Facts:

* Only 50/250 snake species in India have some venom (~20%).

* Even out of these 50, most are mildly venomous.

* Only 4 are deadly to human

Myth-19:

Venomous snake bites can be cured by mantras, spells, lockets, herbs, sucking, absorbing from snake stone .

Facts:

* Timely Anti-venom treatment is the only cure

* Sucking may even kill

Myth-20:

* Snakes are evil, and one of the main purpose of their life is to kill us. 

* Snakes bite for fun.

Facts:

* Snakes are not evil, some humans may be.

* Snakes fear humans; they may bite in defense & anxiety. 

Credit - twitter account of anupam sir

@amaztalks