Unveiling the Urban Jungle: Snakes in Hyderabad

A study on urban snake ecology in Hyderabad reports an 8-10% annual increase in snake rescues due to urbanization and better reporting. Conducted by the CSIR-CCMB and Friends of Snakes Society, it analyzes 55,467 cases, highlighting snakes' adaptation to urban environments and the predictability of human-snake encounters.

A decade-long study on urban snake ecology in Hyderabad reveals an annual 8-10% increase in snake rescues, driven by urban expansion and improved response efforts. Conducted by CSIR–Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Friends of Snakes Society (FOS), findings underscore the predictability of human-snake encounters.

The study, featuring in Global Ecology and Conservation, analyzed 55,467 rescue cases from 2013 to 2022, highlighting how snakes adjust to rapidly urbanizing environments. Notably, 54% of rescues involved venomous species, with the spectacled cobra and Indian rat snake accounting for a substantial 76% of these cases. This adaptation illustrates the snakes' ecological flexibility in urban settings.

Researchers identified 232 hotspots of snake-human interactions across 6.9% of Hyderabad, noting distinct patterns such as diurnal and nocturnal activity among species. The study provides pivotal insights into synanthropisation, as snakes utilize urban green spaces and drainage for survival. Encounters peaked during the monsoon, aligning with biological cycles such as mating and birthing.