Rare flying snake spotted in Manipal

Manipal: Locals out for shopping in Parkala market were up for a scare when a rare flying snake suddenly announced its presence by jumping out of a tree.

The reptile was black, red and white in colour. Snake expert Gururaj Sanil informed that this species of snake is usually found in Western Ghats but is very rarely spotted in the coastal area.

“There have been instances where people have killed the rare flying snake out of fear. The snake is non-venomous and thrives on trees by preying on the eggs of insects and birds. The snake is called as Pulli Putra in Tulu,” he said.

Locals Harish Madiwala, Sadashiva Madiwala, Shivaram Pujari, Jayant, Ganeshraj Saralebettu rescued the snake and released it into the forest.