An Encounter with a 'Flying Snake' (Readers Submission)
Malayan Viper
During my time here in Thailand, I have been treated to snake encounters. First at the mother-in-law's house, where a cobra was present, the dog had discovered it. Fortunately it was a small one (40 cm) and we directed the hose outside.
According to mother-in-law it was not a cobra, but when conducting, its neck swelled. Which to me indicates it's a cobra, the only snake with a swelling neck.
Another incident was the encounter with a Malayan viper. Was busy with the bushmower with metal cutter. Now I knew that hoses pull away when making noise and of course my 2 stroke did. However, the snake did not care or he was deaf. In any case, at one point the snake (about 30-40 cm) flew through the air. I had hit him and as soon as the snake landed it immediately tried to bite. Then he sank back into waiting position. Was a bit shocked, because you don't often (never, was a first time) experience that you have a snake flying around.
I knew, from the point of view of the flying snake, that I had hit it. However, no blood or gaping wounds can be seen on the snake. Yeah, had to check what it was. Looked it up later for info. And it's not a nice snake. Although I even moved it with a rake. Show? Doubtful, perhaps because the snake was still in a kind of coma from his encounter.
If you are also working with a bushmower in Thailand, know that this snake does not easily remove itself and does not even shy away from a confrontation with the bush mower.
What I already did was stand alone where you have already mowed and also not enclosed, where you still have to mow. So I probably already took into account some kind of meeting?
In any case, be careful with mowing and any confrontations, take it absolutely into account. I never really expected it myself, because of the maxim that a snake goes away with sound.
Hope never to experience it again.
Submitted by Peter
Your assumption that sound makes snakes go away is incorrect.
Snakes don't belong.
Most snakes avoid vibrations, but there are also species that will attack.
A Cobra and or a Viper (in Dutch: adder) will certainly attack.
My tip: STAY AWAY FROM ANY SNAKE!!
And if you do get bitten, don't hesitate and go to a doctor or hospital immediately.
Even a newly hatched venomous snake is often more deadly than its mother!!
M fr Grt.
Snakes do not hear sounds. They do feel, but the problem with most vipers is that they keep waiting silently and the Malayan pit Viber in particular is very defensive. Even a dead snake can still bite!