A boy bit and killed a cobra in a rare incident in northern India after the snake coiled around his hands while he was playing outside his home. The two-year-old, identified as Govinda, survived the attack and is recovering in a hospital near the Indo-Nepal border, doctors said.
Family members said the boy was playing outside his home when the cobra wrapped itself around him. Before anyone could intervene, the child bit into the snake, killing it instantly.
“When we saw the snake in the child’s hand, everyone rushed towards him,” the boy’s grandmother told local reporters. “But in the meantime, he already bit the snake, killing it on the spot.”
The child fainted shortly after and was rushed to a nearby primary health center. He was later transferred to the Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH) in Bettiah for specialized care.
Doctors report mild venom symptoms
Hospital officials confirmed the snake was venomous, but stated the child showed only mild symptoms. “The boy, Govind Kumar, was referred here yesterday by the primary health centre close to his village,” GMCH superintendent Duvakant Mishra said. “He fainted soon after chewing on the live snake.”
Doctors said quick medical attention prevented serious complications. “Timely treatment saved Govinda’s life,” Saurabh Kumar, a physician at the hospital, said.
Indian Toddler Bites Cobra to Death, Survives Venom
In Bihar, 2-year-old Govinda Kumar killed a cobra by biting its head after it attacked him. He fainted from venom but was saved by prompt medical care. The "Krishna-like" act has made him a local hero. #India #Bihar #Cobra… pic.twitter.com/1DJfV3G4sc
— Global Report (@Globalrepport) July 29, 2025
“The child’s condition is currently stable,” Dr. Kumar added. Medical staff monitored him for signs of poisoning. Further treatment will begin only if symptoms appear, officials said.
According to Dr. Kumar, the venom entered the child’s digestive tract rather than his bloodstream. This meant the usual neurotoxic effects seen in snakebites did not occur. The boy received anti-allergy medication and was under observation for 48 hours.
Snakebite deaths remain a major concern
India is home to roughly 300 snake species, about 60 of which are highly venomous. These include Russell’s vipers, kraits, saw-scaled vipers, and Indian cobras — a group often referred to as the country’s “big four” for their role in most snakebite cases.
A study published in the journal eLife in 2020 estimated that more than one million people died from snakebites in India between 2000 and 2019. The deaths were concentrated largely in eight states, including Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh.
The findings underscored how snakebites remain one of India’s most serious public health challenges, particularly in rural areas where medical facilities are limited and contact with venomous species is common.
Govinda continues to recover at GMCH Bettiah. Doctors say his progress will depend on ongoing monitoring, but for now, his condition remains stable.
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