Question

Which of the following is a non-venomous snake?
A. Cobra
B. Eryx
C. Viper
D. Krait

Answer 1

Hint: Snakes are a member of the phylum Reptilia. Reptiles are said to be true land animals. Snakes belong to the order Squamata of the subclass Diapsida. The snakes are further classified as non-venomous and venomous snakes.

Complete answer: Non-venomous snakes are those snakes that do not have poison in them. Due to this reason, they are also known as non-poisonous snakes. They usually kill their prey by the method of constriction. The bite of a non-poisonous snake forms multiple impressions on the skin.
-Cobra, also known as Naja naja, is a venomous or poisonous snake. It is the largest and the most poisonous snake in India. It is one of the ‘Big four’, which is a group of species that have killed most people in India and Bangladesh. The poison of the cobra is neurotoxic.
-Eryx is also known as Eryx johnii. It is a non-venomous or non-poisonous snake found in India, Iran, and Pakistan. It kills and digests its prey in a similar manner to a python.
-Viper also known as Pit vipers is one of the most poisonous or venomous species of snakes in the world. They are the fifth most poisonous species. The poison of the Viper is hemotoxic.
-Krait is also known as the Indian Krait, or Common Krait, or the Blue Krait. They are found in the Indian subcontinent and Bangladesh. It is one of the ‘Big four’, which is a group of species that have killed most people in India and Bangladesh. Its poison is neurotoxic.
Thus, based on the above information, we can conclude that Eryx is a non-venomous snake.
Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: On the basis of the type of the poison, the venomous snakes are classified into two categories. These two categories are –
1. Neurotoxic – This kind of venom damages the neurons of the brain and the muscles. Thus, it has a direct effect on the brain. Example – Cobra (Naja naja), Krait
2. Hemotoxic – It is a proteolytic venom. This kind of venom causes the heart to collapse and it damages the blood proteins. Example – Viper, Hydrophis.