SNAKES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Granted, there are many dangers throughout the USA such as bears, cougers & wolves in the eastern and western states, rattlesnakes, water moccasins, and copperhead snakes in many areas, alligators in the southeast and a variety of venomous spiders in various regions but we are often aware of these since our childhood and as a result we remained watchful when in areas where they were prevelent and took the necessary precautions.

Relocating to the Philippines can present dangers to the average person who might otherwise remain innocent and unaware until it is too late. It is best to educate ones-self to the possible dangers so they can be best avoided.

There are 4 types of venomous snakes in the world; elapids, viperids, colubrids, & hydrophiidaes. ALL 4 types are found in the Philippines, in addition to the Python constrictor which can grow to exaggerated sizes.

The elapids are represented by the King Cobra, that grows up to 18 feet in length, which can rise up and look you eye-to-eye or "stand" up to two-thirds of its length and chase you in that position if it desires. Being chased by a snake "standing" 12-feet high across a vacant lot is probably not an easy event to forget!

The viperids are represented by the Russell's Viper and the Temple Viper and the colunbrids consist of the Mangrove and Vine snakes. The hydrophiidaes are the sea snakes, both black bands and yellow bands that rule some areas of the ocean.

The Pythons in the Philippines can average 20 feet in length but claims of much larger ones exist in some sparsely populated areas. They have been known to bring traffic to a complete halt as they leisurely cross a road.