30% Of Cobra Bites Are ‘Dry Bites’. Here’s What It Means

Source :NEWS18 NEWS

Last Updated:April 22, 2025, 09:23 IST

Many assume cobra bites are always fatal, but 20-30% are dry bites with no venom. India records 50,000-60,000 snake bite deaths annually, with 2,500-6,000 from cobras

Many people assume that a cobra bite is always fatal due to the potency of its venom. However, this is not always the case. Around 20–30% of individuals bitten by a cobra experience little to no harm. This is often because the snake may deliver a ‘dry bite’, striking without injecting venom, effectively sparing the person’s life.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and Indian studies, India records the highest number of snake bite fatalities, with about 50,000 to 60,000 deaths annually. Of these, 5-10%, or 2,500 to 6,000 deaths, result from cobra bites.

Cobra’s Venom And Its Effects

Cobra venom is primarily neurotoxic, and can be treated with antivenom, making its mortality rate lower than other snakes like the Russell’s Viper and Krait. A cobra’s venom sac contains about 200 to 500 milligrams of venom, enough to be lethal even to an elephant. The venom sac is quite large, situated near the cobra’s head, and can store up to 700 milligrams of venom.

The Blue Malayan Coral Snake, however, holds the record for the largest venom gland, which extends about 30 centimetres, roughly a quarter of its body length.

What Is A Dry Bite?

As stated earlier, 20–30% of cobra bites do not result in death because they are dry bites. This means the snake’s teeth leave marks, but no venom is injected. Although bite marks, pain, or swelling may be present, the venom does not affect the body.

Cobras may deliver a dry bite four to five times in their lifetime, usually as a warning.

Reasons For Dry Bites

Cobras regulate their venom to prevent their venom sacs from emptying quickly, a process known as ‘venom metering’. The venom is produced in the snake’s venom glands located near its head and takes about 6 to 7 days to regenerate after being released. During this regeneration period, a subsequent bite may not deliver venom.

Dry bites can also occur not only due to a lack of venom in the glands but also improper targeting during the bite.

Symptoms Of A Dry Bite

Dry bites can result in bite marks, pain, swelling, and redness, but symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and paralysis, typically associated with venom, do not occur. However, these bites should still be taken seriously due to the risk of infection or other complications.

The age of the snake also plays a role, as younger snakes tend to release more venom compared to older ones.

Despite being less dangerous than venomous bites, dry bites still require medical attention to prevent infections and other issues.

SOURCE : NEWS 18

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