Snake! What to do?

To be honest, snakes are probably more afraid of us than we are of them. Snakes, like most wild animals, will only attack when they feel threatened.

If you spot one, Lucky You! Here's what you should do:

1) Leave it alone!

2) If it is a safe distance away from you, observe and appreciate its slithery beauty!

3) if it is too close, move away S-L-O-W-L-Y. Sudden movements could startle it and cause it to strike.

4) Don't disturb the snake or go too close for a photo! They might perceive it as a threat and strike. (You'd do the same too if a random stranger puts a camera in your face for a picture.)

Knowing your snakes will definitely help in making the decision to stay or flee, and in determining what is a safe distance (another reason you should follow this space). Whenever in doubt, better to be safe and stay away.

Oriental Whip Snake (Ahaetulla prasina)

As we were walking along the Sensory Trail at Pulau Ubin, we stumbled across this beauty.

Being green and all blended in, we almost missed it! If I had taken just a few more steps, chatting away with my companions, I might just have stepped on it.

Good thing for the snake then that SL had a keen eye!

Oriental Whip Snakes are common in Singapore, and can even be found in urban gardens, living among bushes and on trees.

So why did the snake cross the road?

Probably looking for food. The Oriental Whip Snake preys on small animals such as lizards, frogs, and even small birds. They are mildly venomous and not aggressive at all. In fact, they are rather shy and will slither away quickly if disturbed.

That's not to say you should get too close or handle one, because you never know if you are allergic to its venom or not (unless you've been bitten before of course). I'm guessing a bite would still hurt, venomous or not.

Besides, it is always better not to spook it, so you could just watch and see what it does. Never know, you might just capture a Nat Geo moment in action!

Can snakes smell?

Snakes flick their forked tongues to pick up scents from the surroundings, which they then transfer to what we call the Jacobson's Organ situated in the roof of their mouths. That's how they smell.