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Identifying Snakes on American Flag Islands
in the Pacific:
Basic Facts and Suggestions Q&A
1. Where should I expect to find snakes on American Flag Islands in the Pacific Region?
Most inhabited islands are known to or could have the tiny blind snake (Ramphotyphlops braminus) on land and have the potential for other sea snakes. Most island sea snakes are likely to be seen only under unusual sea conditions (see linked page for likely candidates and descriptions of sea snakes most likely to be seen). Islands in the State of Hawaii, Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia, and Palau have recorded sea snake sightings, but only in Palau would sea snakes be expected to be regularly encountered.
The central islands in Palau have several terrestrial snakes (on land as opposed to in the ocean): the Bronze-backed snake, the Pacific Island boa, the Dog-faced water snake, and the Blind snake. However, outlying islands and island groups in Palau are snake-free (e.g., Kayangel Atoll). The distinction between snake-free islands and those with native snakes may seem academic because native snakes have not caused negative impacts on man apart from the momentary fright of an unexpected encounter, but in fact, snake-free islands often have lizards in higher abundances, potentially support higher numbers or different types of birds, and overall have different food chains for the terrestrial ecosystems they support. It is also important that native snakes are identified correctly instead of indiscriminately destroyed. While any brown Treesnake dispersers must be stopped to avoid the major ecological turbulence that a non-native generalist can cause, native snakes maintain an important and beneficial role in their environment and should not be disturbed.
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2. Why is it important for me to know other species I may encounter?
Most snakes deserve our protection and pose no or minimal threats to man. Snakes are native to some islands and nearly all continents. They are important components of natural ecosystems, serving to control populations of rodents and other small vertebrates. Left unchecked, the prey of snakes might reach abnormally high population levels, resulting in increased agricultural damage, spread of diseases with increased risks to humans and other animals, and disruption of other ecological processes. Snakes should be protected in their native ranges, except where they pose a direct health or safety risk to human populations. The best strategy for dealing with a venomous species in its native range is to leave it alone; it will rarely be seen in the same place again, and allowing it to move off is the safest and most ecologically sane strategy.
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3. What are my risks of snakebite, and
how should I avoid being bitten?
First, although the bite of most snakes is harmless or involves only pricks to the skin comparable to those from a thorn or bramble, some snakes are venomous and should not be handled without appropriate caution and care. Nearly all of the snakes that people are likely to encounter on central Pacific Islands (excluding the Philippines, Japan and the Ryukyus, Eastern Asia, Australia/New Guinea, and other land masses near the Asian and Australian continents) are non-venomous, posing no life threats to humans. Excepting wayward individuals dispersing as a result of man's movements between far-flung areas of the world, only sea snakes and the mildly venomous brown Treesnake are considered venomous to man in the American Flag Islands in the Pacific.
Snakebites by venomous species are painful and result in medical costs even when not fatal. Some snakes are venomous, but the vast majority are not. Knowing which snakes pose a threat from snakebite will be important to avoid a trip to the hospital or potentially fatal bite.
Avoid risks. Never handle a snake that you do not recognize or know to be non-venomous. Instead push it into a garbage can with a broom; lift it into a container with a tight fitting lid with a shovel, hoe, or broom stick; or, if appropriate, dispatch it with a quick blow with any heavy object at hand.
You can get closer than you think with minimal risk. Most snakes can be approached much closer than commonly thought without unwarranted risk of snakebite. A viper and most other harmless snakes strike and pose risks of biting someone only if they are within three-quarters of the snake's total body length. Hence, if you are 5 feet away from a 3-foot snake, you are safe, as long as you stay alert to its movements and move away if the snake moves toward you. A 4.5-foot broom handle, together with your nearly 3-foot arm reach, constitutes an effective distance for handling snakes in the 5-, 6- or even 7-foot size range.
Remember that risks of encountering a venomous
species are relatively low. Of the 2,800 snakes known in the world,
only 450 species are considered to be venomous (about 19%). In most
natural situations, harmless snakes are far more numerous than their venomous
counterparts. Most vipers have distinguishing characteristics that
separate them from most non-venomous species. Most of the common
elapids (the family including cobras) will readily present themselves
for identification by displaying their characteristic postures and behaviors.
Of the hundreds of snakes that have shown up in the "snake-free" Hawaiian
Islands, only a few have been known to be venomous, so chances are that
a snake you may encounter in a situation where snakes are not known will
be of no real threat to you if handled wisely and with the consideration
it deserves.
Keep your eye on the snake to remain in control. In many parts of the world, statistics show a tendency for snakebite victims to be inebriated males catching or handling snakes to show their bravado or not paying attention to where they sit, walk, or place their hands. A little bit of caution, some knowledge, and common sense on your part will go a long way toward reducing your chances of receiving a serious bite even if you are involved in an attempt to intercept or dispatch a snake.
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4. How should I proceed to collect the snake I've identified as non-native?
You can recognize the most typical types of snakes. Cobras and other related snakes tend to stand up in an alert posture, and can only strike by moving forward or allowing their elevated body to fall forward to approach the threat. Both the brown Treesnake and the bronze-back snake tend to elevate their bodies when threatened, but their postures are quite distinct from the elevated stance of cobras and most other cobra relatives. Common sense is important, and the size, behavior, and situation in which the snake is observed should be considered when deciding on the appropriate manner of dealing with it, whether that entails capture by hand, shooing it into an appropriate container, or immobilizing the snake with one or more blows to the spine.
Do not totally destroy or ignore the snake. In the case of a snake sighting in an area known to be snake-free (i.e., where snakes are not supposed to be found), every attempt should be made to capture or kill the snake for documentation of a possible new colonization or arrival. If necessary, the snake should be killed and frozen or preserved to document the event and allow expert identification of the snake. This is needed to assist in determining the origin of the snake and preventing subsequent events that could spell problems for the island or geographic area's native wildlife and human commerce. Document the circumstances in which you found the specimen and notify local wildlife biologists or governmental officials.
A snake's body design makes it vulnerable to having its back broken. Snakes can be immobilized with a sharp blow almost anywhere on their body except the tail. A rock, shovel, hoe, or other blunt instrument will break the spinal cord and immobilize the snake even if it continues wriggling for some time. Do not allow the snake to crawl away even if it is likely to be fatally injured.
Remember that you are collecting a biological specimen, not making a stew. Any sharp instrument used to sever the body of the snake will cause the snake to die. You need not chop it into tiny pieces merely because parts of the snake continue to move. Such movements will be uncoordinated and are not likely to allow the snake to move any significant distance.
Do not let the snake irretrievably hide.
Snakes are masters of entering small cavities, burrowing into root masses
at the bases of trees or sod in vegetated areas, and slithering away hidden
by leaf litter. If the snake is encountered in or near dense vegetation,
you should make an attempt to prevent its entry into areas where it cannot
be observed or interdicted.
Lifting a snake into a container is easy with a long pole or handle. Many snakes will balance their bodies on a stick or pole for a short time when lifted quickly off the ground. Hence, it is often possible to insert a stick under the midbody and lift a snake into a trashcan or tight container (preferably one tall enough and with smooth sides to prevent the snake from reaching or climbing to the top edge).
Provide a hiding place to calm the snake and discourage its escape. A snake may be tempted to calmly hide if a box or large cloth is thrown over it, and such a tactic can buy needed time to summon assistance, grab an appropriate tool to facilitate handling it, or to compose a strategy for what to do next.
* Stay calm and in control. Your safety is the most important issue, but native species must be protected from invaders for our many fragile ecosystems to survive.
See also: Other Snakes of the South Pacific Most Likely to be Encountered
Biology
of the BTS & Pacific Snakes
Impacts
& Damages from the BTS
Control
& Containment of the BTS
Report Snake Sightings!
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