Mysuru:  Snakes are incredible creatures, and our world is groaning with at least 3,000 different species that are slithering their way around our planet. The 16th of July is being celebrated as World Snake Day.

An important contribution of World Snake Day is to the cause of conservation of sometimes dangerous but mostly misrepresented reptile. Snakes live                       on every continent except Antarctica, and can vary from 32 feet long pythons to tiny vine snakes. Only about one-fourth of all snakes are venomous, and all of them would much rather avoid human contact if they could. Maximum snake bite incidents occur when humans inadvertently step on or otherwise disturb the peaceful creatures. India, with all its stereotypes of snake-charmers, is home to only four venomous snake species, but many destructive superstitions and myths.

World Snake Day, conservationists hope, can help remove people’s fears and illusions about snakes, and help them gain recognition as a marvellous adaptable apex species. World Snake Day can be used as a tool to educate and inform people about how to deal with snakes, whom to call, resources available to them etc.

In this context, Mysuru Zoo is celebrating the snake kingdom and creating awareness of these limbless creatures, trying to shed some light on the most unscientific myths. A talk by herpetologist, Balasubramanyam (Snake Shyam) has been organised on July 16 at Zoo auditorium from 4 pm onwards. Interested people may register their names via e-mail [email protected] or by calling Zoo office on Ph: 0821-2440752/ 2520302 before July 16. Entry is free.

Also, attractive Information Boards and Fun Facts Boards about snakes will be on display in front of the enclosure on July 16 from 10 am to 5.30 pm.