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Urban Ecology: The Indian Rat Snake and Its Bid for Official City Reptile

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 13:12:20 GMT
Urban Ecology: The Indian Rat Snake and Its Bid for Official City Reptile

In the bustling, ever-expanding cities of India, amidst the cacophony of traffic and the relentless pace of human life, a silent, slithering resident is making a remarkable stand. The Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), a creature often misunderstood and feared, is not just surviving but thriving in these concrete jungles. Its incredible adaptability and crucial ecological role have sparked a conversation: could this serpent be the official reptile of our cities?

The Ultimate Urban Adapter

The Indian Rat Snake, known locally as the Dhaman, is a testament to nature's resilience. While many wildlife species retreat as cities expand, the rat snake has embraced the urban landscape. From gardens and construction sites to the crevices of large buildings and even sewage lines, this non-venomous snake has found a niche. A study conducted in Delhi between January 2019 and May 2022 documented 372 snake encounters, with the Indian Rat Snake being the most frequently recorded species, accounting for 37.37% of the sightings.

These snakes are highly adaptable, found in a wide array of habitats ranging from forests and wetlands to agricultural fields and bustling urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, and Kolkata. Their ability to climb and swim allows them to navigate the complex terrain of a city with ease. This versatility is a key reason for their success in coexisting with humans for centuries.

A Natural Ally in Pest Control

The primary reason for the Indian Rat Snake's success in urban environments is the ample availability of its favorite prey: rodents. As human settlements inadvertently provide a feast of rats and mice, the rat snakes follow, becoming nature's own pest control service. Their diet isn't limited to rodents; they also consume frogs, lizards, birds, and their eggs, playing a vital role in maintaining the urban ecological balance.

This dietary habit makes them invaluable, especially in agricultural and urban settings where rodent populations can cause significant damage and spread disease. Farmers have long recognized their contribution, affectionately calling them the "farmer's friend." In cities, they provide the same service free of charge, a silent army keeping rodent numbers in check.

A Misunderstood Resident

Despite their beneficial role, Indian Rat Snakes are often met with fear and hostility. Their large size, with some individuals exceeding two meters, and their defensive behavior can be intimidating. When threatened, a rat snake may inflate its throat and emit a growl-like sound, a tactic to appear more formidable, which can lead to it being mistaken for a venomous cobra. This case of mistaken identity often has fatal consequences for the harmless rat snake.

It's a tragic irony, as the rat snake is, in fact, prey for the king cobra. Education and awareness are crucial to dispel the myths and foster a better understanding of these beneficial reptiles. Wildlife rescue organizations frequently respond to distress calls where these snakes are found in urban homes and vehicles, highlighting the constant and often fraught interactions between humans and these serpentine neighbors.

The Bid for Official Recognition

In a significant move that underscores the growing appreciation for this urban survivor, the Indian Rat Snake is being considered for the title of the official state reptile of Kerala. The proposal, to be reviewed by the State Board for Wildlife, highlights the snake's crucial role in controlling rodent populations that damage crops and spread disease. The proposal also notes that these carnivorous snakes help control populations of venomous snakes by consuming their hatchlings.

The species, known as 'Chera' in the region, is protected under Schedule One of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, granting it the highest level of legal protection. While the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the rat snake as a species of "Least Concern" due to its wide distribution, it also acknowledges that the species faces threats from overexploitation for its skin, meat, and for medicinal purposes in some areas.

The Path to Coexistence

The story of the Indian Rat Snake in our cities is a powerful narrative of adaptation and the intricate connections within urban ecosystems. It challenges us to look beyond our fear and recognize the value of the wildlife that shares our urban spaces.

Citizen science projects are emerging as a vital tool in this endeavor, encouraging public participation in monitoring snake populations and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation for them. By educating the public and promoting coexistence, we can ensure that these remarkable reptiles continue to thrive, silently serving our cities. The bid to make the Indian Rat Snake an official city or state reptile is a heartening step in this direction, a formal acknowledgment of the crucial, often unseen, role it plays in the health of our urban environments.

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