View Full Version : Identifying a snake
Walking back to my apartment tonight in Cilandak I spotted a snake on the road and as it had just turned dark I almost stepped on it .The snake was very slender and very bright lime green . I would estimate it at around 3 to 4 feet long .
My first reaction was maybe a pit viper but the body seemed way too slender and the head seemed a bit small and the head was not triangle shaped as far as i could see . Part of the forum suggests it may have been some type of vine snake or local species of garter snake .
Anyone have any suggestions .
Snowy city
02-06-11, 19:08
Whoaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!! I hate reptiles! I hate Geckos, Iguana, Kadal (english?), Chameleon moreover Snake! Dangerous or not I just don't care... I hate snake....
I've been told my by one of my ex neighbors in Solo that the colour of the snake you describe {''very bright lime green''} indicates it is very dangerous!!! Awas!!!!
The numerous garter snakes encountered routinely in our garden are not dangerous from the research I did ...
See here for a description of the green Viper ...
http://www.expat.or.id/medical/poisonoussnakes.html
Snowy city
02-06-11, 19:29
How could a snake wander on Jakarta street? was it someone's pet?
How could a snake wander on Jakarta street? was is someone's pet?
That's the same thing as asking "how do chickens wander in the bars/clubs"??
I've been told my by one of my ex neighbors in Solo that the colour of the snake you describe {''very bright lime green''} indicates it is very dangerous!!! Awas!!!!
The numerous garter snakes encountered routinely in our garden are not dangerous from the research I did ...
See here for a description of the green Viper ...
http://www.expat.or.id/medical/poisonoussnakes.html
I did check that forum page out and it looked like the blue temple viper . But it did seem rather long and slender to be from the viper family . i just usually follow the rule that the brighter it is the more deadly it is . People should not be fooled , there are many deadly snakes in and around jakarta . It was a close one . That forum page does give great advice as to where to go in case of a bite . I will keep it handy .
I did check that forum page out and it looked like the blue temple viper . But it did seem rather long and slender to be from the viper family . i just usually follow the rule that the brighter it is the more deadly it is . People should not be fooled , there are many deadly snakes in and around jakarta . It was a close one . That forum page does give great advice as to where to go in case of a bite . I will keep it handy .
The other thing to keep handy if possible if you are bitten is the snake that bit you.
The other thing to keep handy if possible if you are bitten is the snake that bit you.
Yup the doctors would then be able to administer the correct antivenom. If you can't catch it, might be useful to remember how it looks like so that you can describe it to the medical personnel treating you.
I hate snake....
I hate snakes too. I can't stand their scales. Ihhh geli deh.
think_tank
03-06-11, 04:02
Yup the doctors would then be able to administer the correct antivenom. If you can't catch it, might be useful to remember how it looks like so that you can describe it to the medical personnel treating you.
I think it's unrealistic to advise somebody to catch the snake, there is a large likely hood that the initial bite didn't inject any or very much lethal venom, snakes apparently save that stuff for valuable food, not for scaring off potential attackers. Advising somebody to catch the snake could just be setting them up for more bites, possibly more lethal as the snake is getting nearer death and is in more dire need to use all his resources/venom to survive. It is however important to take a good look at the snake if the distance permits, so if shown pictures of the snake at the hospital you can identify it.
A large number of snake bites happen because of people trying to kill the snake in question, snakes are timid creatures and will almost always try to avoid us and get away with as little contact as possible.
If you have cornered a snake or are too close to a snake that may feel threatened the best thing to do is stay completely still until the snake moves out of it's strike zone, a snake's strike zone varies but is realistically no more than 2x the length of it's body, some say 1x the length of the body is enough but I'm not sure if that applies to all snakes, if you are outside the snakes strike zone you should move away from it slowly and do not make any sudden movements.
Other precautions can be making sure your area is free from tall grass, jeans, boots, long sleeves and gloves when working in snake prone areas (maybe unrealistic in Indonesia's heat but I've found it easy enough in the past).
If you come into contact with a snake in your yard, it is best to make sure people stay away from it and it's route of escape, do not try and kill it, I have use water in the past to successfully coax a snake out of my yard, they do not like getting wet so if your water one side of your yard (closest to you) and slowly work the water up towards a way out of your yard the snake will probably head in that direction rather than going towards the water (mind you the mission of this is not to give the snake a shower).I don't know what you would do if you didn't have a hose handy though, I'd just stay clear of it until it left on it's own accord, maybe some other forum members have some other advice of how to get rid of snakes in a peaceful manner?
-T_T
The snakes has been identified by one of the security staff as a green snake . From the pit viper family . I was almost certain it was not a pit viper becuase the body was so slender and every species I have seen so far has had a stocky body . Learn something new everyday I guess . Looked more like a vine snake to me . But the staff in the complex said is it a common snake found in green areas of jakarta with alot of vegetation .
Did it have the distinct red tail of the green pit viper?
In any event, even though only a few of the many species within Indonesia are dangerous the advice offered above is appropriate, leave them alone and generally all will be well.
As an Aussie, this is taught to us from a young age, and the best advice I've been given is not to tread too lightly when walking in risky areas as snakes rely purely upon sensing any vibrations from movement ...
''Australia is the only country, or region, that has more venomous snakes than non-venomous species...''
http://www.ritas-outback-guide.com/australian-snakes.html
bow chicka wow wow
04-06-11, 23:53
Walking back to my apartment tonight in Cilandak I spotted a snake on the road and as it had just turned dark I almost stepped on it .The snake was very slender and very bright lime green . I would estimate it at around 3 to 4 feet long .
My first reaction was maybe a pit viper but the body seemed way too slender and the head seemed a bit small and the head was not triangle shaped as far as i could see . Part of the forum suggests it may have been some type of vine snake or local species of garter snake .
Anyone have any suggestions .
is it more like this one?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252054_169353999791422_100001504693565_399512_5392 798_n.jpg
because blue temple viper does not look slender at all.
is it more like this one?
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/252054_169353999791422_100001504693565_399512_5392 798_n.jpg
because blue temple viper does not look slender at all.
I believe the photo you posted was a vine snake or variation of one . I said in a later post the security staff thought it was a green snake . It was not backing down at all and even a motorcycle almost drove over it . The snake did not move at all other than to get in striking posture. It was a little dark at the time and I was not going in for a closer look . Most snakes will slither away if threatened . This one seemed very happy with his location and wasn't moving until it was ready . Needless to say . I treat all snakes as venomous unless otherwise identified . It was a close one . Thanks for the photo Bow Chicka . The body was somewhat like that vine snake . But very easy to tell that snake with the head shape . Due to a huge construction project next door , I am sure this will not be my only encounter as alot of earth has been disrupted .
bow chicka wow wow
05-06-11, 19:36
I believe the photo you posted was a vine snake or variation of one . I said in a later post the security staff thought it was a green snake . It was not backing down at all and even a motorcycle almost drove over it . The snake did not move at all other than to get in striking posture. It was a little dark at the time and I was not going in for a closer look . Most snakes will slither away if threatened . This one seemed very happy with his location and wasn't moving until it was ready . Needless to say . I treat all snakes as venomous unless otherwise identified . It was a close one . Thanks for the photo Bow Chicka . The body was somewhat like that vine snake . But very easy to tell that snake with the head shape . Due to a huge construction project next door , I am sure this will not be my only encounter as alot of earth has been disrupted .
ohhh, didn't read that post recognising the snake as a green snake, sorry. http://cdn.livinginindonesiaforum.org/images/smilies/redface2.gif
i've not seen a single roaming-free snake in indonesia yet and i hope never to bump into one. do take extra care, chewy!
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