Friends of Snakes Society

Friends of Snakes Society Welcome to Friends of Snakes Society!

Friends of Snakes Society was honoured to be part of the Telangana Forest Department delegation visit to the Chennai Sna...
13/05/2026

Friends of Snakes Society was honoured to be part of the Telangana Forest Department delegation visit to the Chennai Snake Park as part of a study tour on advanced wildlife park management and ex-situ snake conservation practices.

The delegation included Smt. Priyanka Varghese, CCF Charminar Circle, DFO Hyderabad, FRO Dulapally, and Mr. Avinash Visvanathan, General Secretary, Friends of Snakes Society. The team was hosted by Dr. Paulraj (IFS Retd.), Chairman, Dr. Kalaiarasan, Research Director, Mr. Rajarathinam, Director, and their staff at the Chennai Snake Park.

The visit provided valuable insights into reptilian research, captive management, enclosure design, veterinary care, and public outreach systems. During the interaction, FOS also presented its ongoing conservation and rescue operations in Telangana. The Chennai Snake Park team appreciated the scale of over 15,000 snake rescues annually carried out by FOS, along with the technological integration used in rescue coordination and response systems.

A valuable exchange of ideas and best practices towards strengthening urban wildlife conservation and human-snake conflict mitigation.

10/05/2026

A rescue call from MCEME led to a rather unexpected find. An Indian rat snake (Ptyas mucosa) had made its way into an indoor aquarium at the Officers’ Mess.

With temperatures soaring, even wildlife looks for creative ways to cool down, though this was less a swim and more a case of “this spot looks cooler than outside.” The snake likely entered while moving through the building in search of shade or a quieter refuge.

A responder from the Friends of Snakes Society arrived promptly and safely secured the animal. It was later released into a suitable natural habitat.

The Indian rat snake is non-venomous and highly adaptable, and is commonly encountered in urban and peri-urban spaces.

If you find yourself with an unexpected reptilian visitor, the best approach is simple. Keep your distance and call trained rescuers.

[Friends of Snakes, Indian rat snake, Ptyas mucosa, snake rescue India, urban wildlife encounters, human wildlife coexistence, reptile behaviour, non venomous snakes India, wildlife awareness, safe rescue practices]

For generations, David Attenborough has shaped the way people understand the natural world—bringing attention not only t...
08/05/2026

For generations, David Attenborough has shaped the way people understand the natural world—bringing attention not only to its beauty, but also to its fragility and interconnectedness.

His work encouraged millions to look beyond fear and misunderstanding, and instead approach wildlife with curiosity, respect, and responsibility. That perspective remains deeply relevant to the work carried out by Friends of Snakes Society, where awareness and education continue to play a critical role in enabling coexistence.

Every rescue, every interaction, and every conversation about wildlife is an opportunity to build understanding.

Today, we celebrate a voice that helped make conservation personal, accessible, and impossible to ignore.

[david attenborough, friends of snakes, wildlife awareness, biodiversity conservation, coexistence with wildlife, nature education, reptile awareness, conservation communication, environmental stewardship, protecting ecosystems]

Endemic to the Andaman archipelago, the Andaman pit viper is a forest-associated, arboreal viper adapted to humid island...
05/05/2026

Endemic to the Andaman archipelago, the Andaman pit viper is a forest-associated, arboreal viper adapted to humid island ecosystems.

Typically occupying understory vegetation and low branches, this species is primarily nocturnal and relies on a sit-and-wait predatory strategy. Like other pit vipers, it possesses heat-sensitive loreal pits that enable precise detection of endothermic prey, while its cryptic coloration provides effective camouflage within dense foliage.

Its distribution is geographically restricted to the Andaman Islands, making it closely tied to the integrity of these forest systems. Habitat quality and minimal disturbance are critical to its persistence.

Understanding such region-specific species is essential for informed conservation and responsible engagement with wildlife.

[Friends of Snakes, Andaman pit viper, Trimeresurus andersonii, endemic species India, Andaman islands biodiversity, arboreal snakes, pit vipers India, reptile ecology, island ecosystems, wildlife awareness, conservation education]

26/04/2026

An urban sighting of a Spectacled cobra highlighted how quickly wildlife encounters can occur in shared spaces.

The snake was first noticed in a residential lobby by a delivery person, who avoided direct contact and alerted the residents. The area was promptly secured, limiting further movement into high-traffic zones. During this time, the cobra entered a lift duct and was later located coiled within the shaft—a typical refuge-seeking response in a disturbed environment.

A member from Friends of Snakes Society arrived shortly after and safely rescued the snake. The individual was safely removed and relocated without harm.

The Spectacled cobra is a venomous species, but like most snakes, it avoids confrontation and seeks shelter when disturbed. Such incidents highlight the importance of measured responses—maintaining distance, reducing disturbance, and relying on trained personnel.

[Friends of Snakes, Spectacled cobra, Naja naja, snake rescue India, urban wildlife interaction, human wildlife conflict, non invasive rescue, reptile behaviour, venomous snakes India, wildlife awareness, safe snake handling, ecological coexistence]

Freshwater edges are among the most dynamic ecological interfaces, supporting a high diversity of species adapted to bot...
23/04/2026

Freshwater edges are among the most dynamic ecological interfaces, supporting a high diversity of species adapted to both terrestrial and aquatic conditions.

The Green keelback is one such species, closely associated with wetlands, ponds, and lowland water systems across peninsular India. Although a terrestrial natricine, they are usually found close to waterbodies and occupy a functional role within these habitats, primarily preying on amphibians and other small aquatic organisms.

Encounters during field responses by Friends of Snakes Society often highlight its adaptability to peri-urban landscapes where water sources persist. Despite its non-venomous nature, it is frequently misidentified, underscoring the need for greater awareness and informed responses.

Species like the Green Keelback are sensitive to changes in water quality and habitat structure. Their presence can serve as an indicator of ecological integrity within freshwater systems.

Understanding such species is essential, not only for effective rescue and response, but for sustaining the ecosystems they are a part of.

[Friends of Snakes, Green keelback, Rhabdophis plumbicolor, freshwater ecosystems, wetland ecology, semi aquatic snakes, amphibian predators, snake rescue India, urban biodiversity, ecological indicators, reptile awareness, habitat conservation, human wildlife coexistence]

For Friends of Snakes Society, Earth Day is not just a message, it is a reality experienced on the ground.Every rescue h...
22/04/2026

For Friends of Snakes Society, Earth Day is not just a message, it is a reality experienced on the ground.

Every rescue highlights the importance of coexistence and the role each species plays in the ecosystem. Snakes, often misunderstood, are essential in maintaining ecological balance, particularly in controlling pest populations.

This Earth Day, we encourage awareness over fear, and informed action over reaction. Conservation begins with understanding.

16/04/2026

A call about a snake on a creeper led to an observation of a natural ecological interaction.

A volunteer from Friends of Snakes Society encountered an adult Indian rat snake moving through vegetation, in close proximity to a Red-vented bulbul nest. The bulbul pair was actively alarm-calling, a typical defensive response to nearby predators.

Upon assessment, the eggs had already been predated.

Indian rat snakes are non-venomous, highly adaptable, and opportunistic feeders. Their diet includes rodents, birds, and eggs, and their climbing ability allows them to forage efficiently in trees and shrubs.

While such moments may appear distressing, they are a natural part of ecosystem dynamics, where predation plays a role in maintaining balance.

The snake was safely rescued and relocated.

Understanding behaviour leads to better coexistence.

[Friends of Snakes, Indian rat snake, red vented bulbul, snake rescue India, urban wildlife, ecological interactions, predation behaviour, non venomous snakes India, wildlife awareness, human wildlife coexistence]

At the intersection of land and sea, a different kind of predator moves—quiet, adaptive, and often misunderstood.The Dog...
12/04/2026

At the intersection of land and sea, a different kind of predator moves—quiet, adaptive, and often misunderstood.

The Dog-faced water snake is a brackish water specialist, inhabiting mangroves, estuaries, and intertidal zones across India’s coastlines. Perfectly adapted to fluctuating salinity, it plays a functional role as a mesopredator- regulating fish, amphibian, and crustacean populations within these dynamic ecosystems.

Despite its ecological importance, encounters during rescue calls are often driven by misidentification and fear. As coastal habitats face increasing pressure, species like this become even more vulnerable to human disturbance.

At Friends of Snakes Society, every such encounter is an opportunity, not just to rescue, but to inform, correct, and build awareness around lesser-known species that are critical to ecosystem balance.

Understanding precedes conservation.

[Friends of Snakes, dog faced water snake, Cerberus rynchops, brackish water snake, mangrove ecosystems, estuarine ecology, coastal biodiversity, intertidal zones, snake rescue India, wildlife conservation India, reptile awareness, human wildlife interaction, ecological balance, mesopredator role, wetland conservation, snake identification India]

Not every rescue begins in the wild, some begin with human decisions that ripple into ecosystems.During field responses,...
07/04/2026

Not every rescue begins in the wild, some begin with human decisions that ripple into ecosystems.

During field responses, Friends of Snakes Society is encountering non-native species like the Red-eared slider in natural habitats. These instances are rarely accidental; they are often the result of released pets adapting and spreading in environments where they do not belong.

Such introductions disturb ecological balance - affecting native species, altering habitats, and creating long-term challenges for conservation and rescue efforts on the ground.

Every release adds pressure to ecosystems already under stress. What may seem like a harmless act can have far-reaching consequences.

If you are unable to care for an exotic pet, seek responsible alternatives. Releasing it into the wild is not a solution.

[Friends of Snakes, invasive species, red eared slider, wildlife rescue India, ecological imbalance, exotic pet trade, responsible pet ownership, conservation awareness, human wildlife impact, field rescue observations]

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