Print view
Board index ‹ Life in Taiwan ‹ Pets & Other Animals

Taiwan Snakes

Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. ~George Eliot

Moderator: jimipresley

Post a reply

Taiwan Snakes

Postby maoman » Sun Jan 29, 2012 20:57

Just saw what I think was a banded krait, aka 雨傘節, or "umbrella snake". I was too nervous to get any closer with my iPhone camera.Image
Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.
User avatar
maoman
Admin
 
Posts: 3122
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:41
Location: Lotus Hill
Has given kudos: 835 times
Has gotten kudos: 420 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby sandman » Sun Jan 29, 2012 21:14

Thats what it looks like, sure enough. They're pretty non-aggressive, even timid, but if one bites you, you're going to find yourself with a pretty much ruined day.
sandman
Taiwanease Aristocracy
 
Posts: 1760
Joined: Sat Mar 28, 2009 13:44
Has given kudos: 96 times
Has gotten kudos: 247 times
Top

Taiwan Snakes

Postby maoman » Wed Feb 01, 2012 22:44

I saw another one a few kms away from where I saw the first one. This one looked to be in not such great shape ....

Image
Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.
User avatar
maoman
Admin
 
Posts: 3122
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:41
Location: Lotus Hill
Has given kudos: 835 times
Has gotten kudos: 420 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby TheGingerMan » Wed Feb 01, 2012 23:12

These chaps have a fairly impressive website about Taiwanese snakes.
http://www.snakesoftaiwan.com/Start_Page_EN.htm
"
TheGingerMan
So it turns out I like posting
 
Posts: 336
Joined: Fri Dec 02, 2011 20:51
Has given kudos: 43 times
Has gotten kudos: 46 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby maoman » Wed Feb 01, 2012 23:55

Why do they call them umbrella snakes?
Be kind, for everyone is fighting a hard battle.
User avatar
maoman
Admin
 
Posts: 3122
Joined: Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:41
Location: Lotus Hill
Has given kudos: 835 times
Has gotten kudos: 420 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby jimipresley » Thu Feb 02, 2012 00:53

maoman wrote:Why do they call them umbrella snakes?


The Chinese name 雨傘節 (yu3san3jie2) means "umbrella segments", a reference to the triangular pattern on the body cross-section.
Yes, my name is also John, but I really prefer a nice casserole. - Got To Be Kidding

Protecting the innocent entails a firm perimetre, oft with fixed bayonet. - TheGingerMan

I hold your manipulations in high esteem - divea

Sometimes I love them SO much, that my heart aches from it. - maoman
User avatar
jimipresley
Taiwanease Aristocracy
 
Posts: 1980
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 23:34
Location: Picturesque, idyllic Sanchong.
Has given kudos: 621 times
Has gotten kudos: 317 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby k.k. » Thu Feb 02, 2012 10:06

I think snakes are fascinating creatures, but dangerous as hell. At least here in Taiwan anyway. Anytime I'm hiking and spot one on the trail, I tend to see every tree root or branch as a snake for the rest of my hike. :eek:
The basic rule of thumb is, if the snake has a triangular shaped head, it's poisonous. And there are some nasty ones here.
User avatar
k.k.
Keep Calm & Carry On
 
Posts: 200
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 12:15
Location: Taipei (from Manitoba)
Has given kudos: 14 times
Has gotten kudos: 19 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby Beaker » Thu Feb 02, 2012 11:21

maoman wrote:Just saw what I think was a banded krait, aka 雨傘節, or "umbrella snake". I was too nervous to get any closer with my iPhone camera



Kraits are actually quite docile. I got some buddies who study them at NTU and they just pick them up with their hands out in the field. Not that I would recommend that for the layman.
-Beak
You have no idea where I've been... unless you're stalking me... in which case, can you tell me where I was last week?
User avatar
Beaker
Tech
 
Posts: 511
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:03
Has given kudos: 50 times
Has gotten kudos: 81 times
Top

Re: Taiwan Snakes

Postby mjb » Sun Feb 05, 2012 01:08

Beaker wrote:
maoman wrote:Just saw what I think was a banded krait, aka 雨傘節, or "umbrella snake". I was too nervous to get any closer with my iPhone camera



Kraits are actually quite docile. I got some buddies who study them at NTU and they just pick them up with their hands out in the field. Not that I would recommend that for the layman.


One of the most famous Herp deaths was from a tiny Krait in Burma. Docility should be never be mistaken for a lack of ability to deal you a fatal bite out of nowhere.
mjb
Keep Calm & Carry On
 
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2011 23:48
Has given kudos: 1 time
Has gotten kudos: 17 times
Top

Taiwan Snakes

Postby Beaker » Sun Feb 05, 2012 11:48

mjb wrote:
Beaker wrote:
maoman wrote:Just saw what I think was a banded krait, aka 雨傘節, or "umbrella snake". I was too nervous to get any closer with my iPhone camera



Kraits are actually quite docile. I got some buddies who study them at NTU and they just pick them up with their hands out in the field. Not that I would recommend that for the layman.


One of the most famous Herp deaths was from a tiny Krait in Burma. Docility should be never be mistaken for a lack of ability to deal you a fatal bite out of nowhere.


Of course, they are quite venomous.
-Beak
You have no idea where I've been... unless you're stalking me... in which case, can you tell me where I was last week?
User avatar
Beaker
Tech
 
Posts: 511
Joined: Wed Aug 31, 2011 10:03
Has given kudos: 50 times
Has gotten kudos: 81 times
Top
Post a reply

Return to Pets & Other Animals