A 35-year-old man from Panduka, Kharkhand, has reportedly bitten a snake to death after it attacked him in his sleep.
Santosh Lohar, a labourer working on a railway construction site in a forested area, was asleep when the snake bit him. In a swift and unusual response, Lohar grabbed the snake with an iron rod and bit it twice, ultimately killing it.
Lohar explained his actions by citing a local superstition: “In my village, there’s a belief that if a snake bites you, you must bite it back twice to neutralise the venom.”
Although this belief persists, medical experts point out that human bites on snakes have little effect on neutralising venom. The venom is stored in glands and is only dangerous when it enters the bloodstream. Lohar was taken to a nearby hospital, administered an anti-venom antidote, and released the following day.
Bihar, where the attack occurred, is one of India’s top three states for snakebite incidents, accounting for approximately 4,500 deaths annually, according to the National Health Mission. India is home to nearly 300 snake species, over 60 of which are highly venomous, including the Indian Cobra, Russell’s Viper, Common Krait, and Saw-Scaled Viper, collectively known as the “Big Four.”
These venomous snakes are responsible for a significant number of snake bites each year. A 2020 study revealed that Russell’s Viper accounted for 43 percent of all snakebites in India from 2000 to 2019, with kraits and cobras responsible for 18 and 12 percent, respectively. Venom from these snakes can cause severe symptoms, including blurred vision, difficulty breathing, pain, swelling, and even internal bleeding and blood clots.
Medical professionals advise seeking immediate help if bitten by a snake. Essential steps include removing any constrictive jewellery, taking a photo of the snake for identification, and maintaining a neutral body position to slow venom spread.
