Question

Which of the following snakes is not venomous?
A. Naja-naja
B. Python
C. Hydrophis
D. Bungarus

Answer 1

Snakes are elongated, carnivorous animals with no legs and they belong to the suborder serpents of the order Reptilia. They are cold-blooded animals and have a covering of overlapping scales.

Complete answer:
Various species of snakes belonging to the suborder Serpents are venomous snakes. These snakes are capable of producing venom, which is used by them to kill the prey, as an act of self-defence or to assist the digestion of their prey.

The venom produced by the snakes are injected or delivered to the prey by the hollow or grooved teeth present at the front portion of the head of the snake. These teeth are known as fangs. The venom may differ according to the levels of toxicity and certain other factors are also important for assessment of the toxic level of the venom. The venom of snakes can have both neurotoxic and hemotoxic properties. Other important factors that are necessary for proper assessment of the level of toxicity of a venom from a snake are quantity of venom delivered, the efficiency of delivery and the site of bite.

The genus Naja is a group of venomous snakes and are known as cobras. They are found in the regions of Africa, Southwest Asia and Southeast Asia. The Indian cobra is known as Naja naja and are capable of fatal bite as their venom is highly neurotoxic in nature.

Pythons are nonvenomous snakes belonging to the family Pythonidae and are found in regions of Africa, Asia and Australia.

The Bungarus are venomous snakes and they are commonly known as kraits. They are most commonly found in South and Southeast Asia. The genus Bungarus has about fifteen species. The venom of this snake is highly toxic and it is a neurotoxic venom which can cause muscle paralysis.

The Hydrophis belong to the genus of sea snakes. They are typically found in water bodies of Indo- Australian and Southeast Asian regions and may or may not be venomous.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: Pythons are a group of non-poisonous snakes. They are commonly called kraits. They belong to a genus of constricting snakes which are native to the tropical and subtropical areas of the eastern hemisphere. In Asia, they are found in the areas of Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. In Africa, they are native to the desert areas of the Sahara desert. They are a group of non-venomous snakes with a flecked skin and bear a long split tongue.