Watch Out for Venomous Snakes While Trekking, Hiking,camping, Snorkeling, and Diving on the Bali island

Hi Travelers!

According to The Jakarta Post, Bali is the global winner of its 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards for destinations.  The island has so much to offer and has it all. Bali is not only about beaches, luxury hotels, spas, and shopping. Bali offers more than just the luxurious. The island has spectacular natural: mountain, lake, rice field, river, waterfall, rain forest, cave, and so much more.  Bali is a magical island and the only one in this world. It is worth to experience Bali at least once in your lifetime.

“Bali for me, is not so much about seeing and doing, there’s plenty to see and do, but feeling the place.” Traveler

If you travel to Bali to enjoy nature, This advice will help you to avoid from bitten by venomous snakes. By saying this, please don’t be scared of being in the nature. The tips below will guide you how doing Bali safe.  According to a snake expert in Bali, Putu Indra Muliawan said there are 32-35 species of snakes on Bali island.    Six species of those snakes are venomous. Such as, Cobra, Green Snake, Weling snake, Sea snake, and Picung snake.

Author, Ekarini

More info about Bali island: Bali Travel Info.

Courtesy photos: Tribun Bali and Tom Charlton

Green snake

According to The Jakarta Post, Bali is the global winner of its 2017 Travelers' Choice Awards for destinations.  The island has so much to offer and it has it all. Bali is not only about beaches, luxury hotels, spas, and shopping. Bali offers more than just the luxurious. The island has spectacular natural: mountain, lake, rice field, river, waterfall, rainforest, beach, and so much more.  Bali is a magical island and the only one in this world. It is worth to experience Bali at least once in your lifetime.

Weling snake

Indra characterizes land snakes and sea snakes are both spread their venom before swallow the prey.  Please pay attention when you are trekking around the rice field or nature area, the green snakes are camouflage their green color with the green leaves surround them.

When you are snorkeling or diving, please not to stay close with the corals reef and rocks. “The sea snake’s venom stronger than Cobra’s venom,” said Indra on Tribun Bali.

You should watch out the sea snake with patterned striped black and gray. This snake lived almost across the beach in Bali, where there are corals and rocks (the Nusa Dua beach, Sanur Beach, and other beaches across Bali island).

Cobra 

Picung snake

Sea snake

How to Avoid a Snake Bite (advice from the expert)

Avoid tall grass. Many of the snakes like to hang out in grassy areas and heavy underbrush. If you can, stick to the trails so you can clearly see what you’re stepping on. If you have to go off trail, be attentive lest you inadvertently step on a sleeping snake. If you must get through tall grass, carry a stick and use it to probe the ground in front of you. And remember, there are always exceptions to the rule; a snake could very well be curled up in the middle of a well groomed trail. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Remember that snakes can climb. While they’re not squirrels, snakes can slither up trees and bushes. Most people never imagine they’ll see a snake at eye level, and are thus quite vulnerable to an aerial attack. The last thing you want is to feel that forked tongue on your face, so keep your wits about you.

Check before you stick your hand into a crevasse. Because snakes are pure evil, they like to hang out in the dark. Holes, a hollow log, or a crevasse in a rock are perfect places for a snake to hide. So before you go sticking your hand in any dark hole, check to make sure there isn’t a snake (or other critter) in there.

Zombie snake attack. Say you find a dead snake that you want to take and turn into a pair of snakeskin boots. Right on. But be careful when picking it up. Freshly dead snakes still have reflexes and can still bite you if you’re not careful. Plus, many snakes are pretty sloth-like during the daytime. And they’re quite skillful at keeping completely still; it’s how they catch their prey. So a snake sunning himself may look good and dead, but may very well be sleeping with one beady eye open, its little reptilian brain thinking, “Just try it buddy.”

When camping, Don’t sleep next to snake’s nest . Most snakes are nocturnal, so you don’t want to let down your guard come sunset. Don’t make your camp in snake territory. Avoid sleeping near a log or large branch, in tall grass, or next to rocky areas. And of course zip up your tent tight. Snakes may have those fierce fangs, but alas, they lack an opposable thumb. Keep your boots inside the tent (most tents come with shoe pockets) and make sure to zip the tent up again in the morning, lest a snake invite himself in while you’re on a hike.

Wear heavy boots and pants. If you’re going to be out exploring in the uncivilized wilderness, make sure your lower extremities are protected. Heavy boots and pants not only protect against fierce snakes, but also your ankle’s other nemesis-ticks.

What to do if you get snake bites (Do and Don’t)

Do:

1. Wash the bite with soap and water as soon as possible. You want to remove as much of the snake spit as you can.

2. Keep the bitten area below the heart. This is done to slow the flow of the venom.

3. Take off any rings or watches. The venom is going to make you swollen, and jewelry might cut off your circulation.

4. Tightly wrap a bandage two to four inches above the bite. If you can’t reach medical care within 30 minutes, wrap a bandage around the bitten appendage. This is to assist in reducing the flow of venom. You want to make it tight, but not too tight as to completely cut off the appendage’s circulation. That will only cause tissue damage.

5. If you have a snake bite kit, place the suction device over the bite to help draw the venom out of the wound. Leave on for a maximum of ten minutes. If used properly, a suction device can remove up to 30% of the venom.

Don’t:

1. Cut the wound. While watching an old Western, you might have seen a cowboy making an incision above the snakebite in order to “drain” the venom. This isn’t a smart move because you increase the chances of causing an infection in the area.

2. Suck the venom. Another remedy we all have seen in the movies is people sucking the venom out with their mouth. You don’t want the venom in your mouth where it can get back into your bloodstream.

3. Apply ice to the wound. Ice can cause tissue and skin damage and inhibits the removal of venom when using a suction device.

4. Panic. If you’ve been bitten, try to avoid freaking out. If you’re with someone who has been bitten, try to keep them calm. The more you move and the faster your heart beats, the quicker the venom is going to be circulated throughout your body. So do your best to stay calm and remain as still as humanly possible.

More info about snake:  http://www.artofmanliness.com/2008/07/15/complete-guide-to-snakes-part-2/