On any given morning walk through a village in Kerala, especially during the monsoon, it’s not uncommon to spot a long, slender snake slithering silently through garden undergrowth or across paddy fields. For most people, the instinct is to freeze, panic, or worse, kill it.

But what if we told you that this very creature, the harmless, glossy Indian rat snake, is one of our most important allies, and could soon become Kerala’s official state reptile?

This quiet shift in status, proposed by Kerala’s Forest Department, is not just symbolic. It’s part of a growing recognition that coexistence with native species is essential to protecting our ecosystem.

Why the Indian rat snake deserves the spotlight

The Indian rat snake is non-venomous and plays a vital role in controlling the population of rodents, frogs, and even invasive species. In agrarian states like Kerala, where rice, banana, and coconut plantations face recurring rodent attacks, this snake quietly performs nature’s pest control — without charge, chemicals, or collateral damage.

It’s a natural solution in a time when India loses over 25 percent of its food grains annually to rodent damage

Yet, despite its ecological role, the rat snake is often killed on sight, mistaken for venomous species like the cobra due to its size and speed. It doesn’t help that........

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