In a jaw-dropping encounter straight out of a thriller, a two-year-old boy from a village in Bettiah, West Champaran district of Bihar, has stunned locals and wildlife officials alike by biting a venomous cobra to death — after the snake wrapped itself tightly around his tiny arm.
A Close Call with Death
The terrifying incident occurred earlier this week while the toddler, identified only as Deepak, was playing outside his family’s hut in Lauriya block, a rural area surrounded by farmland and forest. According to family members, the boy unknowingly disturbed the snake, which lunged and wrapped itself around his arm, poised to strike.
In an instinctive act of self-defense, Deepak bit the snake multiple times, reportedly tearing into the reptile’s flesh with his teeth, until the cobra finally slumped and died.
“We were stunned. He was crying and the snake was dead beside him,” said the child’s grandfather. “We thought the snake had bitten him, and rushed him to the hospital.”
Emergency Response
Deepak was immediately taken to a nearby primary health center, and later transferred to GMCH Bettiah (Government Medical College and Hospital) for observation. Miraculously, doctors confirmed that the cobra had not injected venom during the attack, sparing the child from a fatal outcome.
“It appears to be a case of a ‘dry bite,’ which is when a snake strikes but doesn’t release venom,” explained Dr. A.K. Singh, a local physician. “Had venom been injected, the outcome would have been very different.”
Cobra Species Confirmed
Wildlife officials who examined the dead reptile confirmed it was a spectacled cobra (Naja naja), one of India’s most venomous and commonly found snake species. The snake measured approximately two feet in length and was likely a juvenile, which can often be more aggressive when threatened.
Community in Shock
The local villagers are still reeling from the bizarre encounter. Many are hailing Deepak as a “miracle boy” and see the event as a divine sign. The family, although relieved, remains shaken by the incident and has now built a fenced play area for the toddler to avoid future encounters with wildlife.
Experts Urge Caution
Snake experts and forest officials have urged the public not to emulate or celebrate such dangerous acts.
“It’s a miracle the child survived, but it’s crucial to remember that wild animals should never be approached or handled, especially by children,” said a spokesperson for the Bihar Forest Department. “We’re increasing patrols and awareness campaigns in the area.”
Summary:
- A two-year-old boy in Bettiah bit a cobra to death after it coiled around his hand.
- The snake did not inject venom, and the child survived unscathed.
- The cobra was identified as a spectacled cobra, a highly venomous species.
- Locals are both amazed and alarmed by the rare incident.
