More On Pythons In STOMP

I realised that STOMP contained a few more postings on snakes, which were not reflected in the result of my search for 'snakes' in the site. The following sightings appeared after I did a search on 'python':

Carcass of huge python spotted
Posted on 03 November 2006
Sighted on 02 November 2007
Species: Reticulated Python (Dead)
In a canal next to the National Kidney Foundation building in Kim Keat

1 metre python found dead in drain
Posted on 30 November 2006
Species: Reticulated Python (Dead)
In a drain along South Buena Vista Road.

Python caught at Potong Pasir
Posted on 12 May 2007
Species: Reticulated Python
In a drain at Potong Pasir Ave 1

The total tally of python sightings reported in STOMP stands at eight (5 live and 3 dead). The python species that can be found in Singapore is the Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus). Sightings of this snake is common because it feeds on rats and is comfortable living in drains. This species is usually shy and will normally avoid contact with man, although large specimens of over three metres in length are potentially dangerous to us (Lim & Lim, 1992). More on this snake here and here.

REFERENCE

Lim, K. K. P. & Lim, F. L. K., 1992. A Guide To The Amphibians & Reptiles Of Singapore. Singapore Science Centre, p. 47-48.

Stomping On Snakes

I entered "snake" in STOMP's search engine and realised that the site actually contained quite a number of snake sightings posted by the public:

Dead snake in the heart of Orchard Road
Posted on 15 October 2006
Species: Unknown (Dead)
Along Orchard Road

Python found in my car!
Posted on 14 January 2007
Sighted on 11 January 2007
Species: Reticulated Python
In a car at Capital Tower carpark

Snake on a car!
Posted on 18 January 2007
Species: Unknown
On a car radio antenna while travelling along Yio Chu Kang Road

Horror find in Zion Road Canal
Posted on 30 January 2007
Sighted on 30 January 2007
Species: Reticulated Python? (Dead)
Drifting along Zion Road canal

Snake spotted outside IKEA Alexandra
Posted on 21 February 2007
Sighted on 16 February 2007 1200 h
Species: Black Spitting Cobra
On grass near IKEA Alexandra

Snake spotted in drain
Posted on 12 April 2007
Sighted on 12 April 2007 0800 h
Species: Reticulated Python?
Swimming in monsoon drain near Kembangan MRT

Python captured, while snacking on cat
Posted on 19 April 2007
Sighted on 17 April 2007 evening
Species: Reticulated Python
Feeding on a cat in Bedok

Good grief! A python in Orchard Rd!
Posted on 04 May 2007
Sighted on 03 May 2007 0400 h
Species: Reticulated Python
Crossing footpath in Orchard Road

Two snakes caught at Sembawang Park
Posted on 13 May 2007
Sighted on 13 May 2007 1330 h
Species: Unknown
In the rafters of a shed at Semabawang Park

These sightings are important for us to understand the behavior and distribution of snakes. They are also pretty entertaining (Haha!). Stompers, thank you for your contribution.

Python squeezes pet dog to death at River Valley condo

Python squeezes pet dog to death at River Valley condo
By Lee Hui Chieh & Chong Chee Kin
Sunday, November 19 2006.
The Sunday Times Page 12.



This is an unfortunate incident.

To quote the newspaper article, pythons are "generally defensive by nature and usually feed on small creatures like birds or rodents (especially rats). They tend not to attack humans, unless they feel threatened".

This is how a local python species (Reticulated Python) looks like. Call 999 the next time you feel threatened by one. Provide the right details (name of the snake) so that the police officers can bring along the appropriate tools.

A Snakeful Night

Luck was with me on 29 September 2006.

Five snakes in a night!

There was a Common Malayan Racer (Coelognathus flavolineatus) that was faster than F1 racer, escaped before a photograph can be taken.


A Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana) with cloudy eyes, suggesting that the snake is about to shed its skin.


A Keel-bellied Whip Snake (Dryophiops rubescens) roadkill.


A juvenile King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) roadkill.


And finally ... the skeletal remains of a large Reticulated Python (Python reticulatus) in a monsoon drain.

Ok, I cheated a bit. But dead snakes are still snakes, and are important for locality recording purposes.

Sightings are from a northern offshore island of Singapore.

Previous sightings:

http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2006/08/another-snake-roadkill.html
http://singaporesnakes.blogspot.com/2006/08/snake-roadkills-in-singapore_01.html

* All photographs from Mr Norman Lim and Mr Chim Chee Kong

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!)