A man in Iloilo City died after being strangled by a reticulated python last January 11. Reports said that the residents pounded on the snake in an effort to free the man. Meanwhile, also in early January, a utility worker from Southern Leyte State University was bitten by a cobra. He was rushed to the hospital and was given anti-venom.

These are not the first stories of human and snake encounters. There have been many before where snakes were found in homes. Barangay workers would catch the snake and keep it in a sack, before turning it over to authorities.

Because of these incidents, many people are deathly afraid of snakes. 

Media plays a vital role in perpetuating these perceptions. There are many thriller movies where snakes are the villains of the stories (Snakes on the Plane, Anaconda), in Filipino teleseryes there are antagonists who are associated with snakes (Darna’s Valentina, Zuma), even the reportage of snake-related news are often sensationalized and fear mongering. Dare I even mention the biblical passage that said it was a serpent that tempted Eve in the Garden of Eden. All of these amplify the existing negative stereotype about these legless reptiles.

Understanding serpents

In order for us to peacefully co-exist with these creatures, we must first understand them.

Although snakes are often seen as a threat to humans, they are actually in the middle of the food chain. They help control the population of smaller mammals like rats that are often considered pests in farms and forests.

There are also two types of snakes, the venomous and the constrictors. As the name suggests, venomous snakes are those who have venoms, while constrictors are non-venomous snakes that kill their prey by squeezing them.

The reticulated python which killed a man in Iloilo City was a constrictor. While its main goal may not be to actually kill the man, it is its defense mechanism.

Veterinarian Dr. Sean Frederick Serrano explained that pythons are heavy-bodied snakes. This means, they are thick and muscular and not fast. They are not active hunters and often resort to ambushing their prey.

“Ang sabi kasi sa [report] pinagpapalo nila ‘yong ahas no’ng nakita nilang pumulupot siya sa tao. So, that’s actually a major factor. ‘Yong snakes kasi, once na nag-constrict sila it’s part hunting and also defensive. So, pinaghahampas nila ‘yong ahas, the more na mag-constrict ‘yan. Ang snakes kasi ang instinct niyan, once na kumapit siya ay to hold on tight, na hindi siya matanggal. So, kung i-stress niyo siya, the more na pipilitin niyo, the more na hihigpit,” Dr. Serrano said.

What to do when encountering wild snakes

By nature, snakes also do not seek out encounters with humans. To them, we are the threat. So, before a snake could react in defense, it must first be given the option to flee.

“Kung nakita siya sa loob ng house talaga, you need to give it a way out. So, ‘yong wildlife natin, they don’t want to interact with us talaga. Basta bigyan niyo sila ng pintuan o bintana, aalis ‘yan mag-isa. Pero kung hindi siya possible, kunyare sa loob ng kwarto tapos talagang wala siyang lalabasan, ang advice namin diyan is, isara niyo ‘yong pinto, i-lock niyo siya doon tapos you wait for the first responders,” Dr. Serrano advised.

But in the rare event that a constrictor snake managed to get a hold on a person, it is possible for non-wildlife specialists to remove the snake. The key is knowing the weaknesses of these creatures — their tails and their mouths.

“First and foremost, ‘pag ganyang mga sawa, never mo silang hatakin. Kunin niyo ‘yong ulo para hindi gagalaw, tapos ‘yong buntot ‘yong tatanggalin niyo. ‘Yon kasi ‘yong nagla-lock palagi. Once na matanggal ‘yon, madali niyo siyang mare-remove sa pinuluputan,” Dr. Serrano explained.

Another option is pouring strong tasting liquids in their mouths.

“Actually, pagkakumagat siya, ang ginagawa namin, kasi ayaw talagang bumitaw niyan, so pwede ninyo ibuhos sa bibig niya diretso ‘yong alcohol, Listerine, Bactidol, anything na may sour or strong taste, mare-repel niya, so, bibitaw siya,” he said.

Raises deeper concerns

But beyond knowing what to do during a snake encounter, companion and exotic specialist veterinarian and wildlife conservation advocate, Dr. Leo Almelor believes that there is also a need to examine why human and wildlife interaction happens in the first place.

Dr. Almelor explained that humans and snakes do not often interact since each species has its own territory. So, when snakes — may it be a python or a cobra — encounter humans, they instinctively become defensive, the same way as what humans would do upon coming across a snake in the wild.

“[Kapag] nagkakaroon na ng close interaction ang humans and wildlife, that don’t belong to either circle or ‘yong territory nila na-i-invade, may confrontation. Parang tayo lang, may nag-trespass na neighbor sa bahay, what do you do? You’ll defend your spot,” Dr. Almelor said.

This, he noted, raises deeper questions: why are humans in the wildlife territory and why are wild animals found in human dwellings? Are there institutional shortcomings that contribute to the problem?

“It’s a whole system thing. You go back to DENR. Why are these [wildlife] areas being populated by people? Lay people would say, ‘Okay, it’s being developed. I could put my house here, I could buy this land here.’ but the ethical question is, ‘pwede ba?’” he furthered.

Lack of training and awareness

Another point to consider according to Dr. Almelor, is the lack of training among first responders when dealing with wildlife-related incidents. For a nation known for its rich biodiversity and abundant fauna, its people should also be equipped not only with knowledge but also with tools and training.

He shared that he took it upon himself to undergo training, even volunteer work, abroad to strengthen his capabilities as a veterinarian. 

“Okay, we already know may mga incidents na ganyan, why are we not training people on how to properly respond to an animal? Kung may mga pumasok sa bahay, pumasok sa farms. Kasi definitely, lay people should stay away. Kung nagkakaroon na ng interaction, dapat may mga responders na may alam,” Dr. Almelor said.

At the end of the day, humans — being the more advanced species in terms of knowledge and learning — bear the responsibility of adjusting to wildlife. We are the ones capable of learning animal behavior and developing training programs that can prepare people for unexpected encounters with wild animals.

Instead of demonizing creatures we do not understand or reacting out of fear, the challenge now is to learn how to co-exist with them. After all, humans and wildlife share the same Earth.