1. Find out as much as you can about different kinds of snakes (from books in the library, or from the Internet). Are they all poisonous? Find out the names of some poisonous snakes.

2. Look for information on how to find out whether a snake is harmful.

3. As you know, from the previous lesson you have just read, there are people in our country who have traditional knowledge about snakes, who even catch poisonous snakes with practically bare hands. Can you find out something more about them?

1. (The first part of this question has to be done by the students on their own.)

No, all snakes are not poisonous. Some of the poisonous snakes are Indian Cobra, Common Krait, Russell's Viper and Saw-scaled Viper.

2. There are many ways to find out whether a snake is harmful, some of which are listed below.

The poisonous snakes have

• Slit eyes (except coral snakes)

• Triangle-shaped head

• Depression between the eyes and the nostrils

3. Some facts about snake charmers are as follows:

• Delhi government's amnesty scheme gave licence to many snake charmers rendering it legal to practice this trade.

• The snake charmers belong to the Nath sect and are followers of Lord Shiva or Bhole Nath.

• The skills of catching snakes are taught to them in their childhood.

• The snakes usually lie about in the open in the snake charmers' colonies.

• Small boxes, filled with sand, are also set up for the snakes there.