mangalore today

Golden 50 figure surpassed by snake catcher in Udupi


Mangalore Today News Network

Udupi, Oct 16, 2014: Reputed local snake catcher Guruaj Sanil had a surprise when he encountered a King Cobra in Horatti village in Eduru Kunyadi in Kollur. It was his 54th attempt to catch one of the rare species of the reptiles.


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The male King Cobra weighing 15 kilograms and 13 feet long, happened to wander in the region for quite some time. Two days earlier, it was spotted in the house of Rajeev Shetty. On Sunday, the snake visited the same house again, this time with a monitor lizard in his mouth.

The fearful family immediately reported the same to the Forest department and the department officials in turn informed snake catcher Gururaj Sanil. The King Cobra was caught and later released in Mookambika Reserve Forest. Guruaj Sanil told the people that this was one of the exciting experiences as the King Cobras do not succumb to gimmicks and tricks to get into a sack.


It is the most poisonous snake species found in area and there is no anti-snake venom for the King Cobra bite. He said the reptile would attack only when it is subjected to pain. It is an almost harmless reptile. These species, largely found in Western Ghats, will feed on small snakes like rat snakes and lizards for food, he added.

The King Cobra found in Horatti village was his 54th King Cobra catch since 2004, when he started his career as a snake catcher, officially.

Until now, he has trapped more than 15,000 cobras belonging to 47 different species. He has treated more than 500 injured snakes. Besides, he has saved some 1,200 snake eggs discovered, beneath the earth and arranged for artificial hatchings.

He has also authored three books revealing the life and experiences with snakes and the third volume will be released in November’14. He says snakes are friendly living beings if handled correctly with due care and humans  need not be afraid if they  act correctly with snakes.