VENOMOUS SNAKES IN BALI

I decided to write this blog about the venomous snakes in Bali to dispel some myths and clear up a lot of misinformation I have encountered while living here

I am often being asked by people coming to visit Bali if there are venomous snakes here and do they need to worry. First of all, yes, there are venomous snakes in Bali, but this is not something to get alarmed about. I have lived here 8 years and I’ve seen a total of three venomous snakes in that entire time.

In fact, the first time I was walking along with a friend and my husband, who stopped dead in his tracks and yells: “Snake!” Being the stupid Canadian girl from the land of nothing venomous, I’m like all: “oooh snake, cool!” as I bend down to pick up this sort of beige, non-descript reptile, not 2 feet away. As I’m reaching out, both my husband and our friend yell: “Cobra!”

It was indeed a cobra… a spitting cobra, no less. I didn’t recognize it as a cobra because it was just going about its business and wanted nothing to do with us and when they don’t feel threatened, the hood the cobra is famous for is not apparent. But it goes to show you that you should be aware, if you are coming to Bali, that there are snakes here that can do some damage.

First thing you need to understand about snakes is that they will not attack unprovoked. Even then, most of the venomous snakes will try to avoid wasting their venom on something that’s not a prey item and will only bite if you don’t back off. It takes a while for the snakes to reproduce venom, so any wasted means it may be a while before they can hunt and eat again. They will bite if they get startled, like if you were to inadvertently step on one, for example. And they will definitely bite if you try to kill it, or say pick it up because you’re dumb. I definitely learned my lesson, but I was lucky that time. 

Rule #1 – don’t touch anything if you don’t know what it is. That having been said, though there are norms of patterns and colours for identifying each type of snake, they can vary and sometimes get mistaken for other types of snakes. The other common misconception that can get people into trouble is those coming from other countries and misidentifying the snake as a non-venomous snake from where they live or from a different country they travelled to. I would strongly recommend not touching any snake you see. 

Of the nine species of venomous snakes in Bali, three are only mildly venomous and are not considered a threat to humans.

The are different types of venom: hemotoxic, neurotoxic and myotoxic. Though all the venomous snakes in Bali feature one of these as its primarly venom, some also have a combination of the other venoms in smaller amounts as well.

1. Hemotoxic venom radically attacks blood and tissue cells causing traumatic damage to the area which received the bite. In some cases the after effects are so bad the patient may require skin grafts due to tissue degeneration and muscle damage, and in worst cases may require amputation if not treated quickly enough.
   
   
2. Neurotoxic venom works by attacking the human body’s central nervous system and brain. When the neurotoxic venom attacks the central nervous system it often causes paralysis. With that, bite victims experience a loss of muscle control in their diaphragm and are unable to expand their lungs to breathe. Another effect of neurotoxic venom is necrosis - the killing of tissue cells which leads to skin and muscle tissue literally rotting around the bite wound.
   
3. Myotoxic venom contains peptides that destroy the muscle fiber proteins and result in myonecrosis (muscle destruction). Myotoxic venom can also result in kidney failure if treatment is delayed.
   
   

Now for the breakdown… It’s good to arm yourself with the knowledge of the potentially dangerous species of the place you are going to so if in the extremely unlikely case you are bitten by a snake, you’ll know whether it’s nothing to worry about, or what to do if it is.

Javan Spitting Cobra - Naja sputatrix

Identification: The average length of this species of cobra is approximately 1.3 m, but they may grow to a maximum of about 1.85 m. The head is elliptical, depressed, slightly distinct from the neck with a short, rounded snout and large nostrils. Its eyes are moderate in size with round pupils. Dorsal scales are smooth and strongly oblique. Dorsal scale count is usually 25-19. Some colouration and pattern differences occur between Javan specimens and those from the other islands where this species occurs. Javan spitting cobra adults are usually uniform yellowish, brown or blackish in colour, while juveniles often have throat bands and lateral throat spots. Specimens do not always have hood marks, but when there is a mark, it is most often chevron-shaped. The spitting cobras I have personally seen here, in Bali are a sort or grayish-beige, without hood markings.

Habitat: The Javan spitting cobra is found mostly in tropical forests and wet forest, but the species adapts incredibly well to a wide variety of habitats. It is a terrestrial snake that's nocturnal in nature.

Venom: neurotoxic venom. A Javan spitting cobra spits its venom up to 2.5 metres, aiming for the eyes of its victim with incredible accuracy. This can result in permanent blindness. They technically don’t actually spit the venom; the snake contracts its venom gland and squeezes the venom out at high pressure through a tiny hole on its modified fangs that, unlike other species of venomous snakes, is located at the front of the fang. Spitting cobras only bite to inject their venom into prey, but spit venom as a defense mechanism, so you are extremely unlikely to ever be bitten by a spitting cobra. But keep your distance from these guys (at least 3m) as they will have no qualms about spitting at you, if they feel threatened.

 

Malayan Krait - Bungarus candidus

Identification: The Malayan krait may attain a total length of just over a metre. It has a pattern of 27-34 dark-brown, black, or bluish-black crossbands on the body and tail, which are narrowed and rounded on the sides. The first crossband is continuous with the dark color of the head. The dark crossbands are separated by broad, yellowish-white interspaces, which may be spotted with black. Ventrally, it is uniformly white – but can vary in colour and thickness of the bands.

Venom: neurotoxic venom. This is the most dangerous snake in Bali. They have a higher fatality rate as compared to the other species of venomous snakes in Bali.

White Lipped Island Pit Viper - Trimeresurus albolabris

A relatively slender snake in comparison to its a broad triangular head, it has heat-sensing pits located on the head between the nose and each eye. The body is bright green and is perfectly camouflaged in foliage. The side of the head below the eyes is yellow, white or pale green, much lighter than rest of head. The belly is light green, yellowish or white. A light ventrolateral stripe is present in all males, but absent in females. The end of tail is a mottled brownish red. 

Distribution: It lives in forest and open grasslands as well as urban areas and is often seen in gardens. It is nocturnal, generally shy and avoids people, but is quick to bite if threatened. 

Venom: hemotoxic venom. Bites can result in intense pain, swelling, necrosis of flesh, and in some cases severe systemic bleeding. Fatalities are very rare but local damage can be lasting.

Banded Coral Snake - Calliophis intestinalis  

    

Identification: It can be identified by the reddish-orange vertebral stripe, and the red tail. On either side there is a pale lateral stripe. When threatened, the snake turns over to reveal its underside, which is dramatically patterned in black and white. 

Habitat: It inhabits forests areas, and sometimes overgrown areas of parks and gardens and is ground dwelling.

Venom: neurotoxic venom. Banded coral snakes are very rarely seen in Bali.

Banded Sea Krait - Laticauda colubrina

Identification: Sea kraits have a cylindrical body shape with a laterally compressed, paddle-like tail. They are distinctly banded with 20-65 black bands on a usually blue or blue-gray body. These bands extend from the neck area to the tip of the tail. The ventral (bottom) surface of the body is usually lighter than the top. The head has black and yellowish accents.

Habitat: Although spending much time in the water, Banded sea kraits leave the ocean for land at about 10 day intervals, usually at night, to digest food, engage in courtship, lay eggs, and slough skin. In the breeding season, the movement to land is more frequent. There is a sizeable population of banded sea Kraits that live at the base of Tanah Lot temple in a cave that are said to guard the temple. The last time I was there, the guy says to me:" you want to touch one? Go ahead!"

Venom: myotoxic venom. Although the venom is 10 times more potent than a rattle snake’s, the banded sea Krait is very docile by nature and doesn’t usually pose a threat to humans. The vast majority of Banded sea Krait bite victims are fishermen trying to remove them from nets. In fact you can look them up on the internet and see lots of photos of divers playing with and handling these snakes. I wouldn’t recommend it just because they are so venomous - why take a chance? There is a common myth that because these snakes have a small mouth and are rear-fanged, they cannot bite humans. This is not true. Although very rare, it can happen.

King Cobra - Ophiophagus Hannah

Identification: The King Cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to a maximum recorded 5.6 m. The skin of this snake is either olive-green, tan, or black, and it has faint, pale yellow cross bands down the length of the body. The belly is cream or pale yellow, and the scales are smooth. Although the colour and patterns can vary in intensity and they may appear all black. Juveniles are shiny black with narrow yellow bands (can be mistaken for a banded krait, but readily identified with its expandable hood). The head of a mature snake can be quite massive and bulky in appearance. It has two short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth, which channel venom into the prey like hypodermic needles. The male is larger and thicker than the female. The average lifespan of a wild king cobra is about 20 years.

Habitat: It lives in dense highland forests, preferring areas dotted with lakes and streams. King Cobras are found predominantly in the jungles of West Bali and it is unlikely you will ever encounter one.

Venom: neurotoxic venom. Their venom is not the most potent among venomous snakes in the world, but the amount of neurotoxin they can deliver in a single bite—up to two-tenths of a fluid ounce (seven milliliters)—is enough to kill 20 people, or even an elephant. Fortunately, king cobras are shy and will avoid humans whenever possible, but they are fiercely aggressive when cornered.

The last three venomous snakes in Bali are considered only mildly venomous and are not considered a threat to humans. As far as the information I have been able to find, there have been no fatalities in Bali as a result from bites of these three particular snakes. However, if you have serious allergies to things like bee stings, you may react more seriously than the average person by a bite from one of these snakes, so best to keep your distance regardless.

Dog Toothed Cat Snake - Boiga cynodon

Identification: It is a large snake, reaching more than 2 m in total length. The body is orange-brown to yellowish-brown, with white-edged irregular dark bars which extend from the neck to the tip of the tail. The bars on the tail are more closely spaced than those on the body. An identifying feature is the thick dark stripe behind the eye.

Habitat: The Dog-toothed Cat Snake inhabits lowland forests, particularly forest edge, and has adapted well to secondary, disturbed or open habitats. It is both terrestrial and arboreal.

Venom: neurotoxic venom. The Dog toothed Cat Snake is a rear fanged snake - the enlarged teeth at the front of its mouth that gave this snake its name do not deliver the venom. This snake can be counted as relatively harmless to humans due to the mildness of its venom and because they are not very aggressive.

Specklebelly Keelback - Rhabdophis chrysargos

Identification: Small in length, cylindrical and elongated, slender bodied snake with a medium to moderately long tail. Can grow to a maximum of about 0.95 metres. The head is elongated and distinct from neck. The eyes are moderately large in size with round pupils. The dorsal scales are strongly keeled. They are dark brownish red in colour with black scales. The area around the lips is a white to yellow colour and have a white V-shaped marking on neck, connecting to angle of mouth; the marking fades with age.

Habitat: They can be found in tropical, wet lowland forest, tropical and subtropical montane forest, bamboo thickets, woodlands and scrublands, marshes, swamps and urban areas near water. This is a predominantly terrestrial snake, but will climb small trees.

Venom: Although very mildly venomous, these snakes pose no threat to humans and there have not been any reported fatalities from this snake in Bali.

Asian Vine Snake - Ahaetulla prasina

Identification: Also known as the Oriental Whipsnake, the Asian Vine Snake, though very slender, can grow upwards of 6.5 feet in length. Adult coloration may appear as a bright fluorescent green, light brown, or a flat, dull yellow-brown. Most snakes will have a thin pale line running along both sides of the body. Asian Vine Snakes are born alive, not hatched from an egg. The babies are usually brown with yellow and black flecks. A main feature of the snake is its sharply triangular shaped head. Their unique keyhole shaped pupils give this snake binocular vision, enabling it to more accurately target their prey.

Habitat: While sometimes found in urban gardens and coastal areas, the Asian Vine Snake primarily inhabits rainforests. It uses trees as a main form of hunting, striking the prey from low-hanging tree branches.

Venom: It is a rear-fanged species and is mildly venomous. A bite from this snake may cause swelling and nausea, however this is a docile snake that rarely bites and is not considered a threat to humans.

Though you'd think that if you are in a foreign country, the locals will know what's what when it comes to their indigenous species. Don't count on that here, in Bali. All snakes are generally feared by most of the local population due to a lack of information and awareness, which has most Balinese trying to kill any snake they see thinking they are protecting their family. This is how the majority of the snake bite fatalities do occur. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOU GET SPITTING COBRA VENOM IN YOUR EYES

Rinse eyes out with bottled water to wash away the venom. NEVER RUB the eyes as this will allow the venom to enter the small blood vessels, and this is what can cause permanent blindness. Any poison sprayed onto the skin can just be washed off without harm. The venom needs to enter a cut and get into the bloodstream to cause harm, so you might also want to keep your mouth closed if you ever come face to face with a spitting cobra in defensive mode. You are also going to want to get to a hospital.

WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF SNAKE BITE 

REMAIN CALM - Reassurance is key. People have been known to nearly die from non venomous snake bites because fear of the unknown sent them into shock. You need the bite victim to become as calm and as relaxed as possible to try to keep the the venom from spreading more quickly. The higher the heart rate, the faster the spread. So reassurance that everything will be okay is vitally important.

As I'd stated before, venomous snakes try to avoid wasting venom on non-prey items, so the first bite is often what's known as a "dry bite" with no venom injected.  

IMMOBILIZE - Immobilize the limb that was bitten to slow the speed of blood through that limb and keep the bite site below the level of the heart. In every case except when you are absolutely positive the bite was from a Pit Viper, all that is needed is an elastic tensor bandage to slow the progression of venom through the body. Start about 1inch above the bite and start wrapping the limb with the bandage as far up the limb as the bandage will reach. Bandage should not be either tight or loose. Wrap it with the same pressure you would use if you were bandaging a sprained wrist or ankle. It is NOT a tourniquet to cut off blood supply. It should be comfortably tight. You can easily check the  bandage is at the right pressure by squeezing a nail on the limb. The nail bed should return to pink when  released.

Pit Viper bites should be immobilized, using a splint without a bandage applied, but only if you are 100% certain it was a Pit Viper. If there is any doubt at all, use the bandage. Due to the nature of its hemotoxic venom, applying a pressure immobilization dressing to these wounds could cause increased tissue damage. If it makes you feel any better - it is estimated that approximately 1/5 - 1/4 of all pit viper bites are dry bites.

GET TO A HOSPITAL - In Bali, Sanglah Hospital, located on Jl. Diponegoro Tel. (0361) 227911 in Denpasar, is the only hospital that has any sort of anti-venom and has a snake bite unit. Call ahead and let them know what happened and that you are on the way. In Bali, do not call and wait for an ambulance.
 

Get the patient to hospital as quickly as you can and ring the hospital to let them know what happened. During this time keep reassuring the patient that everything will be ok. Also watch them carefully for changes such as gasping for breath etc. Venom can stop the patient breathing, so be prepared if the trip is a long one and ideally have someone with you that knows CPR in case it's required. For most bites, it takes about an hour for serious life-threatening symptoms to appear.

Tell the hospital staff exactly what happened and of any noticeable changes in the patient since the bite happened. In most cases hospitals don’t even use anti venom. They monitor the patient and treat symptoms, but let the human body break down any venom by itself. Most snake bites do not result in fatalities. 

If you are bitten and it's at all possible, taking a photo of the snake will go a long way to help hospital staff identify the type of snake and give you proper treatment.
 
Alight, now you know the venomous snakes in Bali, should be able to identify them, how to avoid getting bitten and what to do in the rare case that you are bitten. if you have any questions about venomous snakes or other creatures in Bali, feel free to connect with me at info@balibiuretreatcompany.com.