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In Morena, a female cobra stayed beside her dead mate for nearly 24 hours, leading locals to believe in a tragic love story. But, science suggests snakes don’t form emotional bonds
Many tales across rural areas speak of revenge-seeking female snakes who attack humans after their mate is killed. (Representational Image)
A cobra lay lifeless on the road after being crushed by a passing vehicle in Madhya Pradesh’s Morena. What happened next shocked not only the villagers but also spread rapidly on social media and messaging platforms. A female cobra emerged from nearby bushes and slithered to the cobra’s body. And then, in a scene straight out of an old folktale, she stayed there, unmoving, for nearly 24 hours, as if mourning her partner. The next day, she too was found dead.
Locals were quick to call it a tragic love story. Many believed she died by choice, unable to bear the loss. Some even claimed she had given up her life, sati style, in a show of unwavering devotion. But does such a thing really happen in the animal world? Is the relationship between a naag (male snake) and a naagin (female snake) as eternal as portrayed in mythology?
Let’s break it down, separating fact from folklore.
In our country’s cultural imagination, snakes are considered sacred. The cobra, in particular, is closely associated with Lord Shiva, often seen coiled around his neck. In stories and folk beliefs passed down for generations, the naag and naagin are depicted as eternal lovers; loyal, monogamous, and deeply devoted to each other.
Many tales across rural areas speak of revenge-seeking female snakes who attack humans after their mate is killed. This has formed the basis of countless popular stories, films, and superstitions – from village fireside legends to Bollywood’s iconic “Naagin” revenge dramas.
But are these beliefs rooted in reality? Science tells us a different story.
Snakes Don’t Form Emotional Bonds
From a biological standpoint, snakes, including cobras, don’t form emotional attachments the way mammals do. While the image of a mourning snake waiting beside her mate’s body tugs at the heart, science suggests it’s highly unlikely that she “chose to die” out of grief.
Here’s what researchers know:
- Snakes are solitary by nature. They come together primarily for mating and usually separate soon after.
- No scientific evidence exists of snakes recognising or remembering previous partners.
- Their interactions are driven by chemical signals, pheromones, rather than memory or emotional connection.
In the animal kingdom, only a handful of species (like swans or certain wolves) exhibit monogamy or partner attachment. Snakes do not fall into that category.
So Why Was The Female Snake Beside The Body?
Experts believe there could be other explanations. The female cobra may have been:
- Drawn by the scent of the male and unaware he was dead.
- In a state of torpor or reduced movement due to environmental factors, such as temperature.
- Stressed or confused, responding to the situation with stillness rather than deliberate action.
The fact that she died hours later could be purely coincidental – from dehydration, exhaustion, injury, or even poisoning if the male snake had ingested contaminated prey before dying.
Are there any exceptions in the snake world? Yes, but they’re rare.
The King Cobra, for example, is one of the few snake species where males and females might remain near each other for longer periods, particularly when guarding eggs. But even this is tied to offspring protection, not emotional bonding between partners. Even within King Cobras, pairings are seasonal and not necessarily repeated. They do not mate for life, nor do they mourn.
Moreover:
- Male snakes often try to mate with multiple females.
- Females, too, may mate with several males in one breeding season. This sometimes leads to multiple paternity in a single clutch of eggs.
So Where Does The “Devoted Naagin” Belief Come From?
Like many animal myths, the idea of the eternally loyal snake couple has cultural rather than scientific roots. Snakes have long fascinated people across civilisations – feared, worshipped, and romanticised. In India, the mystique of snakes has been deeply woven into the fabric of religion, folklore, and cinema.
It’s why the story of the Morena cobras touched so many as it resonated with a familiar narrative of love and sacrifice. But biologically, the story doesn’t hold. What happened in Morena might remain unexplained. Was it a rare case of instinct gone awry? Or simply a tragic coincidence interpreted through the lens of cultural storytelling? Either way, snakes are not known to form emotional bonds, mourn, or commit “suicide” after a partner’s death. That’s the verdict of science.
- Location :
Morena, India, India
- First Published:
