Snakes in Thailand

[Norseman]

[Do you have any details please?

Eight years ago I went to the Pasteur Institute in Bangkok and asked if they had any sort of educational programs or classes. They said no we don't have, but after donating a couple of thousand baht I became a sponsor and could sort of do what I wanted, except milking the snakes.
I stayed there for two days and as "my" teacher was able to speak English it turned out to be two very
interesting days and it partly cured my own deadly fear of snakes.

[Nereus]

This is the only snake allowed on my property, providing it brings Natasha along with it:

serpent.jpg (45.95 KiB) Viewed 1153 times

[samman]

Had many snakes in parts of our garden and out on the road. Many are harmless and very beautiful (e.g tree snakes). Some dangerous such as cobras (spitting and otherwise!) and vipers of all varieties. Very large pythons have also been spotted (large as in 'is that a tree fallen across the road?') The Thais seem to treat these with respect too! Snakes seem to like to use pipes to get around and to hide in - except some vipers! They tend to eat frogs around here. As they find food by smell (using their tongues to taste the air) I have found that strong smelling things will deter them from parts of the garden. I have bitter ornamental orange trees in one part of the garden and never see them there. Also limes scattered around the perimeter can help keep them out or force them out if inside. This saves having to kill them. A local Thai dog has a 'snake' bark, when we hear it we go running! We don't want her hurt having had one local dog die of snakebite already.

[Big Boy]

Eight years ago I went to the Pasteur Institute in Bangkok and asked if they had any sort of educational programs or classes. They said no we don't have, but after donating a couple of thousand baht I became a sponsor and could sort of do what I wanted, except milking the snakes.
I stayed there for two days and as "my" teacher was able to speak English it turned out to be two very
interesting days and it partly cured my own deadly fear of snakes.

Interesting. The type of thing I'm interested in is a basic snake awareness session, and what to do if you get an unwanted visitor. I'll be honest, I'd rather not kill them. At the same time, I'd rather not get too close unless they were posing a threat. It's what to do when they do pose a threat - without endangering myself. Do you think the Pasteur Institute would fit this bill?

As an aside, I often reflect back to the way my father-in-law used to deal with them when working in his Paddy Fields. If there was a snake in his way, he'd simply grab it, and throw it elsewhere in the field - not a skill I'd like to learn. He used to scare me something rotten with his snake antics.

[dtaai-maai]

Step 1 is to find out what's dangerous and what's not.
Step 2 is to find out how dangerous the dangerous one are.
Step 3 is how to get rid of the dangerous ones without battering them with a broom.

Steps 1 and 2 ought to be simple enough on line or through books.

I've been here 8 years now, and I haven't yet got around to step 1, but then again I've never really felt threatened. Most of the snakes I've encountered have been more interested in getting away than starting a fight.

[Norseman]

D.M.
You and I have lived in this country long enough to encounter snakes and other venomous creatures.
Step 1 and 2 is purely a matter of identification and your own interest in studying and learning.
Step 3 however is quite interesting because a handmade Thai-broom is your best friend and tool in the heat of the battle. It's even better than my thong and snake hooks.
BUT!

Most of the snakes I've encountered have been more interested in getting away than starting a fight.

That's because you still haven't had the pleasure of meeting a Russel's Viper.
They do stand their ground and have no, whatsoever intention of getting away from you.
I personally hate them because of that, and they are twice as fast as a Cobra.
You can play with and have some fun with a Cobra, but that's not the case with the incredible wipers.
Even the Green Viper, though a smallish snake, is so fast that you can hardly see it's strike.
I agree that most, 98% of snakes will try to escape and make a run for it, but do not pick a fight with a viper without knowing their level of aggression and speed.
If you ever come across a Russel's just make sure you have the right tools, knowledge and a plastic can/bin large enough to safely replace the bastard.
My first (and only) encounter with this snake made me drive around 80 clicks to Sam Roy Yod to safely release the beast in the national park.

[dtaai-maai]

My first (and only) encounter with this snake made me drive around 80 clicks to Sam Roy Yod to safely release the beast in the national park.

I can just see myself running that one past Mrs D-M!!

[Dannie Boy]

My wife found this one amongst some wood pieces used on the charcoal BBQ - according to her and the security guard it was poisonous, so the guard dealt with it in traditional Thai fashion

[hhfarang]

Looks like it could be another of those Malayan pit vipers... one of the most common venomous snakes here, but not really aggressive in my experience. However, they do not run either but sit coiled under the shade of a small bush or shrub usually, so the danger is in not seeing them and getting too close (within striking range) without realizing it causing them to go on the defensive.

A local Thai dog has a 'snake' bark, when we hear it we go running!

Yes, my male dog has a "snake bark" that is completely different from his normal bark... kind of shorter faster barks. Our female dog knows better how to deal with them though. The male just bites them with no fear of getting bitten back (which he has been), but the female grabs, shakes and quickly throws them high into the air, runs and repeats the process until the snake is rendered harmless. These Thai soi dogs can be amazing animals.

[PeteC]

I think that's the same type keel back we've had in many photos already. Pete

[hhfarang]

That's the problem here. There are so many snakes that are not harmful that look very much like the harmful ones unless you are and expert.

I have to see the head close up to tell a rat snake from a cobra or viper!

[Nereus]

I have to see the head close up to tell a rat snake from a cobra or viper!

It`s much easier once the head is detached.

[STEVE G]

I have to see the head close up to tell a rat snake from a cobra or viper!

It`s much easier once the head is detached.

All the ones I've tried up in the village tasted the same anyway!

[PeteC]

One way to tell if you have to kill it is to then hold it on the ground behind the head and insert a knife blade in its mouth behind where fangs would be and pry open. Any fangs should come down and be visible. If the above photo is a keel back they have rear fangs so harder to find. New sources say they are indeed slightly venomous but they have to get a good hold and chew on you to inject anything. Pete

[samman]

That's comforting!