Snakes of Kodagu in Kodava Thakk

In Kodagu, snakes are not merely creatures of the wild, but part of a living landscape deeply understood by the Kodava people. Through Kodava takk, each snake is named with care, reflecting its color, habitat, and behavior. These names carry generations of observation, respect, and coexistence. From forest floors to riverbanks, snakes remain both feared and revered, reminding us of nature’s balance and the wisdom embedded in traditional knowledge systems.

Venomous Snakes

• Bamboo Pit Viper
  Kodava Name: Pache Mandali Paambu (ಪಚ್ಚೆ ಮಂಡಲಿ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A green arboreal viper found in forests, known for camouflage among leaves, slow movement, and potent venom used for hunting.
• Bibron’s Coral Snake
  Kodava Name: Bibroon Pavala Paambu (ಬಿಬ್ರೂನ್ ಪಾವಲ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A brightly colored, secretive snake with potent neurotoxic venom, usually found underground or under leaf litter in forested regions.
• Cobra
  Kodava Name: Kaatmurka (ಕಾಟ್ಮುರ್ಕ)
  A well-known venomous snake recognized by its hood display, often associated with folklore, found in fields, forests, and human settlements.
• Common Krait
  Kodava Name: Bale Muriya (ಬಾಳೆ ಮುರಿಯ)
  A highly venomous nocturnal snake, often entering homes, known for powerful neurotoxic venom and quiet, elusive behavior.
• Hump Nosed Pit Viper
  Kodava Name: Kari Mandali / Boodhu Mandali (ಕಾರಿ ಮಂಡಲಿ / ಬೂದು ಮಂಡಲಿ)
  A small viper with a distinctive snout, found in leaf litter, known for camouflage and moderately dangerous venom.
• King Cobra
  Kodava Name: Karnaada Paambu (ಕರ್ಣಾಡ ಪಾಂಬು)
  The world’s longest venomous snake, highly intelligent, feeding mainly on other snakes, revered and feared across forest landscapes.
• Malabar Pit Viper
  Kodava Name: Pache Mandali Paambu (ಪಚ್ಚೆ ಮಂಡಲಿ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A beautifully patterned viper found in Western Ghats forests, known for excellent camouflage and ambush hunting behavior.
• Russell’s Viper
  Kodava Name: Patte Kolaka (ಪಟ್ಟೆ ಕೊಲಕ)
  A heavy-bodied viper with chain-like patterns, responsible for many bites, known for aggressive defense and potent hemotoxic venom.
• Saw Scaled Viper
  Kodava Name: Urimandali Paambu (ಉರಿಮಂಡಲಿ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A small but dangerous snake producing a rasping sound by rubbing scales, commonly found in dry areas and agricultural lands.
• Slender Coral Snake
  Kodava Name: Pavala Paambu (ಪಾವಲ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A thin, brightly colored snake with neurotoxic venom, usually hidden underground and rarely encountered in daily life.
• Striped Coral Snake
  Kodava Name: Patte Pavala Paambu (ಪಟ್ಟೆ ಪಾವಲ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A vividly banded snake, secretive and nocturnal, possessing strong venom but seldom seen due to its reclusive habits.

Non-Venomous and Mildly Venomous Snakes

• Common Vine Snake
  Kodava Name: Pache Paambu (ಪಚ್ಚೆ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A slender green tree snake with excellent camouflage, often seen among branches, mildly venomous and non-threatening to humans.
• Common Cat Snake
  Kodava Name: Poonye Paambu (ಪೂಣ್ಯೆ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A nocturnal tree-dwelling snake with vertical pupils, mildly venomous, feeding on lizards and small birds in forest habitats.
• Common Trinket Snake
  Kodava Name: Manja Gere Paambu (ಮಂಜ ಗೆರೇ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A fast-moving, non-venomous snake with yellow patterns, often found near human settlements and known for its agility.
• Common Bronze Back Tree Snake
  Kodava Name: Mara Paambu (ಮರ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A slender arboreal snake with bronze coloration, active during day, feeding on lizards and frogs among trees.
• Common Worm / Blind Snake
  Kodava Name: Kuruda Paambu (ಕುರುಡ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A tiny burrowing snake resembling a worm, harmless, living underground and feeding mainly on ants and termites.
• Common Sand Boa
  Kodava Name: Mann Paambu (ಮಣ್ಣು ಪಾಂಬು)
  A thick-bodied burrowing snake found in loose soil, slow-moving and non-venomous, feeding on rodents and small animals.
• Checkered Keelback
  Kodava Name: Neerguduma Paambu (ನೀರ್ಗುದುಮ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A common water snake found near ponds and rivers, non-venomous, feeding mainly on fish and amphibians.
• Dog Faced Water Snake
  Kodava Name: Naayi Neer Guduma Paambu (ನಾಯಿ ನೀರ್ ಗುದುಮ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A semi-aquatic snake with a distinct head shape, commonly found near water bodies, feeding on fish and frogs.
• Dumeril’s Black Headed Snake
  Kodava Name: Kartha Pill Paambu (ಕಾರ್ತ ಪಿಲ್ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A small, secretive snake with dark head, usually found under debris, feeding on insects and small reptiles.
• Elliot’s Shieldtail
  Kodava Name: Moddu Baala Paambu (ಮೊದ್ದು ಬಾಲ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A burrowing snake with a blunt tail, adapted for underground life, harmless and rarely seen above ground.
• Green Keelback
  Kodava Name: Pache Guduma Paambu (ಪಚ್ಚೆ ಗುದುಮ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A bright green, non-venomous snake found near water, feeding on frogs and small aquatic prey.
• Indian Rock Python
  Kodava Name: Male Paambu (ಮಲೆ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A large non-venomous constrictor found in forests and grasslands, feeding on mammals and birds by coiling and suffocation.
• Montane Trinket Snake
  Kodava Name: Kere Bale Muriya (ಕೆರೇ ಬಾಳೆ ಮುರಿಯ)
  A hill-dwelling snake adapted to cooler climates, active and fast, feeding on small vertebrates.
• Ornate Flying Snake
  Kodava Name: Paarali Paambu (ಪಾರಳಿ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A gliding snake capable of moving between trees, slender and mildly venomous, feeding on lizards and small birds.
• Olive Keelback
  Kodava Name: Mutha Paambu (ಮುಥ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A semi-aquatic snake found near streams, non-venomous, feeding on fish and amphibians in freshwater habitats.
• Painted Bronze Back
  Kodava Name: Mara Paambu (ಮರ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A colorful arboreal snake, active during daytime, commonly seen in trees hunting small prey like lizards.
• Pied Belly Shieldtail
  Kodava Name: Moddu Baala Paambu (ಮೊದ್ದು ಬಾಲ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A burrowing snake with distinctive underside, rarely seen, adapted to underground environments and harmless to humans.
• Red Sand Boa
  Kodava Name: Chonda Mann Paambu (ಚೊಂಡ ಮಣ್ಣು ಪಾಂಬು)
  A reddish, thick-bodied burrowing snake, non-venomous, often mistaken for dangerous species but completely harmless.
• Rat Snake
  Kodava Name: Kere Paambu / Manja Kere / Kartha Kere (ಕೆರೇ ಪಾಂಬು / ಮಂಜ ಕೆರೆ / ಕಾರ್ತ ಕೆರೆ)
  A fast, non-venomous snake commonly found near human habitation, feeding on rodents and helping control pest populations.
• Striped Keelback
  Kodava Name: Patte Pill Paambu (ಪಟ್ಟೆ ಪಿಲ್ ಪಾಂಬು)
  A striped freshwater snake, non-venomous, often seen near streams and wetlands, feeding on amphibians.
• Whitaker’s Boa
  Kodava Name: Whitaker Mann Paambu (ವಿಟೇಕರ್ ಮಣ್ಣು ಪಾಂಬು)
  A rare burrowing boa found in Western Ghats, non-venomous, adapted to underground habitats and rarely encountered.