PETALING JAYA: The current heatwave has led to reptiles, particularly snakes, “intruding” into houses to seek respite from the heat and in search of water.According to snake expert Steven Wong, natural water sources such as ponds and puddles tend to dry up during hot spells but this precious resource could be found in water catchment areas such as drains.“These areas remain wet, so reptiles which in general prefer humid areas seek out places with high humidity levels,” he said.Wong, who runs the herpetofauna special interest group at the Selangor branch of the Malaysian Nature Society, said the heat would drive some snakes out of their natural habitat in search of cooler surroundings.Wong said more venomous species such as the Sumatran Spitting Cobra and Monocled Cobra are also quite tolerant of human habitation and would venture into urban dwelling in search of mice.
Snakes which preferred dark spaces are likely to take shelter in places with no direct sunlight such as burrows or rubbish stacks, he said.Wong said snakes have been known to hide in other areas such as upturned flower pots and pipes which have gaps and crevices for them to enter.A snake expert with the Fire and Rescue Department said snakes are shy creatures and would prefer to avoid any contact with humans.“They are just as afraid of us as we are of them,” said Senior Fire Officer II Noor Fazida Tina Mohamad Noor.Noor Fazida Tina, who is part of the department’s King Cobra Squad which deals with the removal of snakes from human dwellings, said other than the hot spell, the destruction of their natural habitats have also driven snakes to look for more conducive dwellings.“Peat and forest fires rob these animals of their homes, so naturally they would move to seek better shelter,” she said.
She said the animals would also be attracted to shelters close to food sources such as mice and other small creatures.Often, she said, the food source would linger close to rubbish stacks and this was what attracted the snakes.With the heatwave and burning forests, Noor Fazida Tina said there had been an increase in calls to the department to remove harmful animals from premises.Over 5,880 calls were made between January and March with about 2,000 of those calls involving snake sightingsIn comparison, the department only received 7,600 such calls throughout the whole of 2018.“We tend to receive such calls during extreme weather conditions such as the current heatwave or just after flood waters begin to recede,” she said.Both experts also cautioned those who spot a snake in their house, to slowly move to a safe distance of about two metres away.
“Snakes are triggered by sudden movements, so back away slowly,” she said.She also said that it would be a good idea to take note of its type and colour, so that emergency personnel would be better equipped to deal with it.“In the unfortunate event that one is bitten, seek immediate medical attention and try to keep the victim calm and restrict his movement,” she said.
Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2019/03/27/heat-drives-snakes-to-enter-homes-in-search-of-water/#R5YjqavdCKsRHElJ.99