Is the ‘Snake That Dies When It Touches Itself’ Story Really True?
About the Viral Snake Story
A message has been circulating on social media claiming that there exists a rare snake whose body grows half a centimetre every 200 seconds, reaches one metre in length, and dies the moment its mouth touches its own body. The twist — this supposedly “real” snake is actually the animated character from the iconic Nokia mobile game Snake.
The message is shared as entertainment, but it also highlights a crucial point: the ease with which fictional stories can appear believable online.
Millions of Indians grew up playing the Nokia Snake game. It was simple, addictive, and symbolic of an era. But the fictional snake from that game has now become the centre of a humorous yet misleading viral post. This provides an opportunity to talk about digital literacy and healthy skepticism in the age of instant information.
Why Do Such Messages Go Viral?
Stories that combine nostalgia, curiosity and surprise travel extremely fast online. The Nokia snake story checks all three boxes. It amuses readers, triggers childhood memories and appears harmless — but it also demonstrates how easily misinformation blends into daily conversation when shared repeatedly without verification.
People often forward messages instantly without pausing to evaluate the content. However, in the markets, economy, personal finance and social life — assumptions based on unverified information can prove costly. The Nokia snake story, while humorous, is a symbolic reminder that truth should never be replaced by virality.
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Peer Comparison of Common Viral Myths
| Myth | Reality | Why It Spreads |
|---|---|---|
| “Nokia snake is a real species.” | Completely fictional. It belongs only to the mobile game. | Nostalgia + humour. |
| “Moon turning green.” | The moon never changes colour due to planets aligning. | Astronomy fascination. |
| “Free government money for everyone.” | Fake forwards promising benefits that don’t exist. | Desire for easy gains. |
Before we discuss the psychology behind such myths, it’s important to highlight that viral falsehoods often mimic authenticity through format: structured sentences, figures, timing, and dramatic claims resembling news. This pattern persuades and misleads even educated readers.
Strengths & Weaknesses of Viral Stories
Strengths🐍 Easy to understand and share. 🐍 Evokes nostalgia, humour and emotion. 🐍 Builds instant engagement on social media. |
Weaknesses⚠️ Creates misinformation loops. ⚠️ Reduces trust in real information sources. ⚠️ Misleads younger audiences who take it literally. |
The Nokia snake story may be harmless, but the habit of unverified forwarding is not. It conditions people to accept fabricated claims as truth, weakening their ability to judge critical financial, political or health-related information.
Opportunities & Threats
Opportunities💡 Use such messages to build awareness on digital literacy. 💡 Encourage fact-checking habits among family and colleagues. 💡 Improve cautious behaviour in investment-related decisions. |
Threats📉 Blind belief may spill over into financial choices. 📉 Rumours can influence market sentiment irrationally. 📉 Fake news may erode trust in genuine research. |
Valuation & Practical Insight
The Nokia snake story is harmless on its own but valuable as a behavioural case study. Just as traders avoid acting on unverified rumours, individuals must avoid reacting to viral content without evidence. In both markets and society, disciplined verification is the only true protection.
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Investor Takeaway
Derivative Pro & Nifty Expert Gulshan Khera, CFP®, emphasises that the discipline of questioning information is just as important in life as it is in financial markets. Whether it is a stock update or a social media forward, verification must come before belief. For deeper insights, visit Indian-Share-Tips.com, which is a SEBI Registered Advisory Services.
SEBI Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers must perform their own due diligence and consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment decisions. The views expressed are general in nature and may not suit individual investment objectives or financial situations.
