India, the seventh largest nation in the world, has something or the other for everyone. Long stretches of deserts, pristine beaches, lovely hill stations, gigantic forts and mammoth architectural wonders, ancient cultures and civilizations, ever smiling and hospitable people, wonderful religious centres, interesting wildlife… you name it and India would offer that on a platter..
So is it any surprising then that the wonder that is India finds a good place on the tourist map of the world, and tourists and travellers from as far as Finland and France make it a point to visit the country time and again.
Among the many attractions of the country, Indian wildlife, maybe, fascinates the tourists the most. Home to the Asiatic Lion and several types of fauna and flora, India is dotted with many wildlife spots that attract those who are adventurous and footloose.
Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, Kerala–these are just some of the many Indian states much famed for their wildlife. The country has many wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and other forest reserves in these and other states where the wild beasts roam freely in their natural surroundings. Kaziranga, Sunderbans, Gir, Ranthambore, Sariska, Kanha, Dudhwa, Corbett, Bharatpur, Periyar, Panna, Palamu, Hazaribagh…the list of such natural habitats is long and impressive.
Apart from being a safe sanctuary for several rare species of flora and fauna, these wildlife reserves are also the perfect place for the wild species to make their nests and live long generation after generation. Elephant safari, for example, is a great attraction in Rajasthan, as is the wild riding on the back of camel in Gujarat.
Last but not least, the much feared reptilian species are also present in India. Brown Snake, Tiger, Leopard, Mountain Snake, Indian python…and snake bite victims in India have a much better chance of survival after treatment…but not much better than that of getting snakes or spiders to bite them.
Get affected by a snake in Australia
But the most commonly encountered snake in Australia is the Copperhead. Australia has many different types of snakes in its national parks. But the most common and most venomous of them all is the Copperhead. This snake species is responsible for 80% of human deaths in Australia each year.
Copperheads live outdoors in the Australia bush and tend to blend in with their surroundings. People who come into contact with these snakes should try to determine whether they have seen them before or not. Doing so could help save your life or the life of someone else.
If you are one of those who are convinced that you have seen a snake and have no first aid, you should remember that even without a snakebite, the most serious threat from a snake is its venom. Besides, every snake species is venomous, so if you are one of those who might be bitten by a snake and start feeling ill, it is time to head home immediately.
Even without a snakebite, if you are bitten by a coral snake, you will quickly develop severe pain, fever, aching joints and stomach pain. At this stage, you need to get medical help right away. If you are bitten by a coral snake and your body starts to swell, you will most likely suffer from internal infection. It is best to avoid getting bitten by any kind of snake.
But if you’re headed to the wilderness and thinking of hiking, you must remember that snakes are probably the most dangerous animals you will encounter in Australia. I have bravely done hiking in the outback of Australia and while I have been bitten by snakes, I have never been bitten by any one of them. But I have been out hiking for a long time and have encountered plenty of snakes. Just because they are harmless doesn’t mean that you should be afraid of running into one.
Snakes are just like any other animal. They bite and they die. But like any other animal, you can’t afford to run into a snake without being prepared for them. In the wilderness, you have to be cautious of snakes. But you will find that most of the time, they aren’t a significant threat, especially if you are prepared.
I was playing in the rainforest one day with some friends when I was bitten on my ankle. As I was playing I noticed a snake a few trees away. I didn’t step towards it because I was already close enough to run to the woodshed instantly. But I knew that if I went to the woodshed I would be attacked by a snake, so I ducked into the gazebo when I saw the snake.