In Kerala, India, a family said venomous snakes have made their home impossible to live in safely after one dropped from the roof rafters onto a sleeping woman.
Here's what to know
Asianet News said the family had reported snake burrows running through the ground beneath the home, along with repeated sightings inside the residence. Family members Revathy and Renuka said the snakes have shown up in bedding, near doorways, and under beds.
Their father, Rajesh, lives with them at the family's Rajesh Bhavan home in Pidavoor Moolankode, but he is unable to work because of health problems, leaving the family with few options. They said they have complained to authorities several times without getting a lasting solution.
The living nightmare came to a crescendo when a snake chasing a rat fell from the rafters above Revathy as she slept and bit her. She was taken to Punalur Taluk Hospital for treatment and later returned home, but the family said they saw another highly venomous snake near the house, and it moved into a part of the building that is still under construction.
More background
The snake problem is unfolding in a house already badly damaged by weather. Asianet News said heavy rain and strong winds blew away the roof. Damaged walls, exposed rafters, cluttered construction areas, and rodent activity can all make homes easier for snakes to enter or more attractive to them.
The structure is now in such poor condition that tearing it down and rebuilding it may be the only solution. Unfortunately, it's one the family cannot afford.
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Human settlements and wildlife habitats are increasingly overlapping, leading to more encounters and conflict. Human communities are expanding further into areas where animals have historically foraged and hunted, while a shifting climate is also pushing animals into new places in search of vital resources.
What's being done?
Local politicians and government officials have already visited the property to inspect it, according to the report.
If the structure is collapsing and the surrounding ground is riddled with burrows, short-term snake removal alone may not be enough. Sealing entry points, clearing debris, addressing rodent activity, and stabilizing the building would likely all be necessary alongside any wildlife rescue efforts.
Where can I learn more?
Snakes can turn ordinary spaces inside and around homes into places of real risk. But they are also crucial in their ecosystem, helping to reduce rodent populations.
• In India, a snake in a washing machine bit two people, then caused hospital panic.
• At a home in Telangana, India, an Indian cobra found inside was bagged for relocation.
• In the U.K., a snake hidden in a pillowcase bit a sleeping woman.
• In Dhaka, Bangladesh, cobras frequently sneak into human settlements as urbanization increases.
• In Bihar, India, a toddler bit a cobra he mistook for a toy but still survived.
The Kollam family's ordeal emphasizes the need for safe housing and greater knowledge of local wildlife.
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