A snakelet was rescued by Wildlife SOS rapid response unit from the Delhi Legislative Assembly premises, a statement said on Wednesday.
The Assembly staff recently spotted the snakelet in a meeting room and called the NGO’s 24-hour helpline, it said. The reptile was identified as a black-headed royal snake ( Spalerosophis atriceps ), also known as a diadem snake.
“The two-member rescue team carefully removed it and kept it under observation before releasing it into its natural habitat,” said the statement. It added that the species is non-venomous and protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Royal snakes are excellent climbers and are found on trees, low bushes and crevices. As a defence mechanism under threats and stressful situations, they coil up and hiss loudly but rarely bite in retaliation.
“Royal snakes are harmless to human beings and mostly feed on rodents, lizards, birds and small mammals,” said Kartick Satyanarayan of Wildlife SOS.
