Cat snake
Chellaa was an assistant to J Poonam Chand Viyas, 40, who had captured thousands of snakes in a span of 10 to 12 years in Cuddalore and neighbouring districts. Viyas died of snakebite in Cuddalore in March 2017. Chellaa released the snake in the nearby suitable, thickly vegetated habitat. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Chennai | Silver Rate in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai | Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Petrol Price in Chennai | Diesel Price in Chennai | CNG Price in Chennai | LPG Price in Chennai Stay updated with the latest Chennai news.
Chellaa said it was only the second recorded instance of a cat snake being spotted and rescued in Cuddalore district. Commonly referred to as the “cat snake”, it is predominantly arboreal, spending most of its time on trees and in thick bushes and dense foliage near residential areas. The rescued snake measured about two feet. The residents of the hamlet spotted the snake nestled among bushes and immediately alerted Chellaa, who reached the spot within a few minutes and rescued the snake without harming the reptile. The species earns its name from its prominent, vertically elliptical pupils that closely resemble the eyes of a cat. Cat snakes are primarily nocturnal, becoming active after dusk to hunt for prey. Their diet mainly consists of garden lizards, small frogs and birds. Cat snakes are rear-fanged and possess mild venom used to subdue small prey. Their venom is generally considered low-risk and non-lethal to humans. However, experts advise that any snakebite should be handled with medical care and not ignored. Download the TOI App.
CUDDALORE: A rare cat snake (genus Boiga) was rescued by snake catcher and rescuer V Selvam alias Chellaa near a residential hamlet at Kandakkadu in the Kundu Uppalavadi area in Cuddalore district on Monday.