My meetings with this snake, Himalayan Pit Viper (Gloydius himalayanus) is nothing less them a romantic fantasy. It was a dark freezing night in Mukteshwar. We were camping at a camp site. I was tasked to buy some rations from a near by village approx 10-15 kms. away from where we had camped. Satpal, our local guide and I left on his bike. I was riding, while enjoying the cold breeze and suddenly the bike stopped as it developed some snag. Satpal and me were trying to figure out what to do. It was pitch dark with a starry sky and a crescent moon to compliment the scene. Petrol was not the issue as it was almost half tank. Both our mechanical heads could not figure out the problem.
As the area where we were stranded was known for leopard sightings and only a day before there was a report of one sighted near by. While we tried to figure out what was wrong we took turns keeping a watch for any signs/ sounds /scent of a leopard with our flimsy torch light. Since we could not figure what was wrong and also the fact that we were in leopard territory, we decided to move on with the bike.
I lit my torch using it as a head light. As it was a downward slope the bike moved with a little push we started on a ecofriendly ride. Few metres ahead into the ride I could see some thing on the road reflecting the torch light we stopped the bike and stood our ground. After carefully observing it for some time Satpal said "arrey sir truck se gira hua reflector hoga" to which even I agreed and then we again tried to figure out what it was, inched a bit closer and it started moving slowly on the road. Me and Satpal both in one voice "saap", I handed the bike to Satpal and rushed towards it.
I didn’t exactly know what snake was it but had some basic knowledge that it was a pit viper and needed to be treated with extra respect. This was the first time I was seeing a snake in the Himalayan region. A lifer for me. Oh it was so beautiful. Slithering slowly on to the side of the road.
Later in the night after reaching my camp site, I looked at some reference books and figured out what snake it was. A Himalayan pit viper (Gloydius himalayanus).
Himalayan pit viper (Gloydius himalayanus) are nocturnal snakes and are known to be territorial by nature. Its a venomous species. The pit acts as a thermal scanner which helps in feeding of prey. It is usually seen under leaf litter or rock. Though much is not known about this specimen, but a chance meeting with this sexy diva is something I will remember throughout my life.
