USM LifeGuard Corps

Hello everyone,

I just wanted to share with you some pictures from one of my many excursions. The pictures attached along with this post are of a female Wagler's Pit Viper (Tropidolaemus wagleri) that I photographed.

The pictures were taken at a family owned chicken farm in Balik Pulau. I sometimes stop over there to buy eggs as they are slighty cheaper. But I have to be honest, the reason I like to go there is to observe the vipers. There is a huge congregation of vipers on the Ciku trees located on the farm. On certain trips, I've counted up to 20 individuals. Do not be mistaken, these are all wild snakes and not reared. I believe they congregate here to feed on rodents on the farm or bats that visit the trees.

As with all vipers, these are venomous snakes that have to be treated with caution. Never attempt to handle these snakes if you come across them in the wild unless you're experienced. The farmer doesn't mind the snakes as they do not bother him (Bravo on his attitude!).

Just a little info on this species; this Pit-viper is also known as the Temple Pit Viper. It is the most famous species in Malaysia, and is exhibited at the Snake Temple in Penang. It is a nocturnal and arboreal species. Females give birth to 8-20 live young. They are largely sedentary and can stay in the same area for extended periods. I guess that is why they stay put at the farm, a constant food supply.

Although widespread throughout Southeast Asia, it is becoming increasingly rare. Here in Penang, populations are dwindling due to overcollection for displays at the Snake Temple. These poor snakes then die slow agonising deaths in the temples as they develop respiratory illness from the incense smoke. Their fangs are also forcibly removed so that they can be used as a tourist attraction. In addition, only the large impressive females are collected for displays at the temple, and some researchers believe this has now caused an imbalance in the sex ratios in the wild population.

Although the Snake Temple is one of Penang's biggest attractions, and I know this is going to sound disloyal of me, but I plead with you all not to suppport the temple. Legend has it that the first snakes were drawn to the temple on their own, but these days the snakes are bought from poachers. This is to keep replenishing the snakes for the satisfaction of the tourist when they die. This is really unfortunate.

If you all are interested in observing healthy vipers in their natural element and not under a blanket of smoke, I would be most happy to give you directions to the farm. The vipers are safe there for now,and  I hope the farmer never starts exploiting them by selling them to the unscrupulous temple officials.

Cheers.

-- Edited by evanquah at 01:14, 2008-04-26