Daijiworld Media Network – Beltangady (MS)

Beltangady, Dec 7: Rarest of rare Forsten’s snake (Saribala Haavu) was found near Aranthottu of Koyyuru village in the taluk. It was taken and released into a nearby forest.

The snake which arrived at the house of Deepak, resident of Aranthottu was swallowing a hen. The family members immediately informed Snake Ashok of Laila. He came to the spot and rescued the snake.

Saribala or Forsten’s cat snake is mostly found in Gujarat, Kerala and forests of Western Ghats in Karnataka. It is very rare to find them in areas inhabited by human beings. They mostly move around in the night. Small birds, eggs, rat and bat are its main diet.

There are two species of Forsten’s rat snake. One has got grey colour with black dots, while the other has light red or brown colour with black dots. The snake that was found in Koyyour is of the second variety. Snake Ashok said that he catches snakes since 11 years, and this is the first time he has come across Forsten’s cat snake with light red and brown colour.

Snake Ashok appealed to public that this snake is not poisonous. Public kill it as it resembles a viper. Ashok appealed to public to save snakes if they come across and do not kill them.