Rare bamboo pit viper found in Betul's Gauthana after four years, rescued by snake rescuer

A rare bamboo pit viper was found on Tuesday in Vaishnavi Nagar, in the Gauthana area of Betul. The species has been sighted in the district after about four years.

The snake was spotted in the garden of a house. On receiving information, snake rescuer Vishal Vishwakarma reached the spot and caught the snake safely.

According to Vishwakarma, the snake was about two and a half feet long. It looks like an ordinary green snake but is in fact a venomous viper. He said the previous rescue of this species in Betul district was around 2021 or 2022, carried out by Shaikh Jamal Bhai. It has now been seen again in 2026.

The bamboo pit viper usually lives in dense vegetation, bamboo clumps, bushes and trees. Its green colour helps it hide among leaves. It is mainly active at night and preys on small creatures such as frogs and lizards.

Its scientific name is Trimeresurus gramineus. It is found in peninsular India. The forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats fall within its natural range. It prefers moist forests, hilly areas and places with dense vegetation.

The snake is venomous. Its bite can cause severe pain and swelling. In some cases, blood clotting can be affected and serious problems such as bleeding can occur. It would not be right to count it among India's deadliest snakes, but its bite is a medical emergency. It is also not certain how effective common polyvalent antivenom would be against its venom.

Its green colour and habit of hiding in bushes can make it hard to identify. It may bite in defence if it feels threatened. If a snake is seen, people should not try to catch, provoke or kill it. They should keep a safe distance and inform a trained snake rescuer.

In case of a snake bite, go to a hospital immediately. Do not waste time on home remedies or faith healing.