Once in a while I get all these out…collate them from various locales where they have been placed so that they come in handy- at field stations, in my ruck sack, across the study table I sit at home and of course in the cars that help me travel. While every snake hook is special and has a tale to it (all snake hooks do!!), these are a class apart, and have stood by me in times of need and deed.

And yet, none of them have been used for unnecessary adventure and irresponsible stuntmanship that exists in today’s times and is a cause of worry for us all.

Anyways, I must stop my charade of sermons now… for research colleagues, fellow herpetology enthusiasts and students of ophiology, have a great South West monsoon ahead. Be safe and practice what you preach.