Snake In A Park!

I was informed by Tay Ywee Chieh that a Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) had attracted too much unwanted attention in Bishan Park after a hearty breakfast on 30 September 2006. The snake was too full for its own good, being too heavy to move to a less conspicuous spot to enjoy a lazy Saturday afternoon. People were threatening to call the AVA (Agri-Veteninary Authority) or other authorities to remove the python, a move which will most likely seal its fate. Ywee Chieh, with some knowledge on snakes, tried to convince the concerned crowd that the snake is a harmless one (which is true) and they should leave it alone. They left not entirely convinced. Apart from people, the snake was also terrorized by an army of ants which seemed to be "eating it alive". There was also high chance of the snake becoming a roadkill, since it was lying so near to the pavement. Being concerned about the safety of the poor creature, Ywee Chieh and a kind passerby commendably used a branch and moved the animal to a less eye-catching location.

WHAT TO DO IF I SAW A SNAKE IN A PARK?

The best thing to do is do nothing, unless you are 100% sure about the snake's identity. Thus, it is extremely important to know your snakes. This is to save the snake and you. More often than not, the snakes we killed are harmless ones. I believe that encounters such as the one mentioned above was not the fault of the python being a snake, but was the result of our ignorance. If we know more about our snakes, we can better handle a situation. A "snake-ledgeable" person is probably less likely to suffer heart attack when she/he encounters a legless friend.

Pythons longer than 3 m may be dangerous to man. If you are very sure that your existence is being threatened by snakes this big, call 999.

* All photographs by Ms Tay Ywee Chieh (using her mobile phone!)