Malayan Pit Viper near Wang Bua Ban

[Aforek]

The problem for people with Malaysian pit vipers is their behaviour.

Most snakes that hunt on the ground move out of the way, when a big mammal (human, possible danger) approaches. Malaysian pit vipers do not. They stay in the same spot for hours and days, because they rely on their camouflage for hunting. They like to stay on trails and pathways where prey may cross, or in the grass. They also like to come out in the rain. The Malayan pit viper most likely strikes if you step on it or come too close to it.

According to Dr. Suchai from the Dept. of toxicology, Chulalongkorn university there are 7000 reported snake bites with 30 fatalities annually in Thailand. The Malayan pit viper is responsible for most of these. So, the deadliest snake is not the cobra, as many think, but the Malayan pit viper.

Cheers, CM-Expat

And Russell's viper ? don't attempt to flee when approched by humans and kills many people ; Let say that vipers are the most dangerous snakes in Thailand, more agressive than cobras

Which Thailand snake kills the most people?

The Malayan Pit Viper, the Malayan krait, and the Banded krait kill more people in Thailand than other snakes. Another very dangerous snake is the Russell’s Viper which is found in certain parts of Thailand. Russell’s vipers kill more people worldwide than any other snake on the planet.

Edited July 16, 2015 by Aforek

[daoyai]

We are trespassing on their land. Treat them with the respect that they deserve. We have no more right to their territory than they do.

Oh boy....

It's a reptile....I doubt it has a chanote for the land. "Respect" for a reptile? Respect for the fact that it could kill me, sure; but I don't think that's what you had in mind.

"We have no more right to their territory than they do." Huh? You just said it was "their land"; now you say neither snake nor man as any more right than the other (to their territory). So it's "their territory" but they don't have any rights to it, the same as a man has no rights to "their territory."

It's a snake, a poisonous one. Don't anthropomorphize. It has no "rights," in the same way a snail or a frog has no rights.

Be careful of things that can kill you. Be it a spider, a snake or a bear. That's all.

Wow you really do embody the worst of human egotism. It is about respect for nature in general for the diversity of species in a (their) habitat.

[LarryBird]

Daoyai and Brommers, get a life.

[arunsakda]

Crazy drivers are more concerning than the remote possibility of being bitten by a serpente.

[MaeJoMTB]

Crazy drivers are more concerning than the remote possibility of being bitten by a serpente.

Not if you're out in the jungle as much as I am.

Risk is about 50/50 for me .........

but I'm not allowed to beat crazy drivers to death with a stick!

[arunsakda]

Get some proper snakeboots then. Where I grew up only rattlers pose a danger and they give warning when humans approach. Sounds like a spray can suddenly sprung a leak, loud!

Also woke up once backpacking near Death Valley. One was curled around our old Optimus stove for warmth.

[MESmith]

Two Questions.

1 How high up can they strike? I know many snakes can only strike down unlike the American Rattlesnake which can strike higher than it's head.

2 Are they very similar in looks to the golden tree snake?

1 and 1/2 their length when coiled ........ so above your knee.

Nothing like a golden tree snake.

Thanks for the information. I had heard the golden tree snake looked a lot like a highly venomous snake and wasn't sure if the Malayan Pit Viper was the one.

I think the golden tree snake looks very similar to the banded krait, which is venomous. Main difference is the head colour I think.

If you've got major vision defects, maybe...

Golden tree snake

Banded krait

Edited July 16, 2015 by MESmith

[circusman]

More info on snakes in Thailand

http://www.siam-info.com/english/snakes_crotalidae.html

I highly suggest those who are put off by snakes - me one - do not look at the website mentioned. I did and now I don't want to go outside my house anymore.

[arunsakda]

I knew a girl who had an irrational fear of snakes. I know some people don't go in for hiking, camping, etc., but this one could literally not step on a blade of grass. Even a suburban garden party completely out of the question.

Edited July 16, 2015 by arunsakda

[cloudhopper]

The problem for people with Malaysian pit vipers is their behaviour.

Most snakes that hunt on the ground move out of the way, when a big mammal (human, possible danger) approaches. Malaysian pit vipers do not. They stay in the same spot for hours and days, because they rely on their camouflage for hunting. They like to stay on trails and pathways where prey may cross, or in the grass. They also like to come out in the rain. The Malayan pit viper most likely strikes if you step on it or come too close to it.

According to Dr. Suchai from the Dept. of toxicology, Chulalongkorn university there are 7000 reported snake bites with 30 fatalities annually in Thailand. The Malayan pit viper is responsible for most of these. So, the deadliest snake is not the cobra, as many think, but the Malayan pit viper.

Cheers, CM-Expat

And Russell's viper ? don't attempt to flee when approched by humans and kills many people ; Let say that vipers are the most dangerous snakes in Thailand, more agressive than cobras

Which Thailand snake kills the most people?

The Malayan Pit Viper, the Malayan krait, and the Banded krait kill more people in Thailand than other snakes. Another very dangerous snake is the Russell’s Viper which is found in certain parts of Thailand. Russell’s vipers kill more people worldwide than any other snake on the planet.

Anyone know if the local ER is likely to have an anti-venom for these snakes?

[eyecatcher]

Yes I also think the Golden tree snake is nothing like a banded krait.

We will be having people reporting banded krait sightings when they have actually seen some safety barrier

tape.

[luther]

Most snakes I've seen in Thailand, I've only noticed at the last moment. The tree snake hanging down looking like a branch until it moves. Snakes in the garden that look like something dusty as it slithers off, but the only banded krait I've seen on our brick walk leading to our washing machine lept off the page. Even though I didn't know what it was at the time, I instinctively knew it poisonous.

[whiterussian]

Breaking the food chain in the garden is what I have to work on - had a nest of venomous snakes nearby feasting on the garden toads... the toads eat crickets/ants/roaches as far as I can tell. Watch out for those toads!

[cmsally]

Snake control in our garden is the job of a small white cat - that we adopted after it was abandoned.

She kills one after the other. Fair enough, none are full size but the way she is going none will make it to full size.

The other thing that likes snakes is the big geckos, most gecko/ snake fights end with the gecko winning.

[circusman]

Most snakes I've seen in Thailand, I've only noticed at the last moment. The tree snake hanging down looking like a branch until it moves. Snakes in the garden that look like something dusty as it slithers off, but the only banded krait I've seen on our brick walk leading to our washing machine lept off the page. Even though I didn't know what it was at the time, I instinctively knew it poisonous.

Humans can not instinctively know a snake poisonous or not.

[Tywais]

Anyone know if the local ER is likely to have an anti-venom for these snakes?

Maharaj (Suan Dok) is the main center for snake bites. Remote areas will bring a bite victim directly to them. Don't know of any other places but this is the place you should head to if it happens.

[whiterussian]

Anyone know if the local ER is likely to have an anti-venom for these snakes?

Maharaj (Suan Dok) is the main center for snake bites. Remote areas will bring a bite victim directly to them. Don't know of any other places but this is the place you should head to if it happens.

Good to know. Thanks. Hang Dong treated a nephew of mine - snake ID unknown... but might not be such a specialist center. I suspect all will have some treatments.

On my 3rd scorpion sting in a decade - always on my left side going straight to the heart Grrrr, never had a snake bite yet... Cat got another rat last night - doing her bit to break the food chain. I should evict our resident bathroom toad, but he's kinda cute ...and eats the ants.

Edited July 17, 2015 by whiterussian

[Aforek]

Some good advices here : http://www.thailandsnakes.com/thailand-snake-notes/thailand-snake-note-bitten-by-snake/

I see that Maharaj (Suan Dok) is in Chiang Mai

if bitten by a viper or any venomous snake in an other province, better to go to the local hospital ( hoping they have antivenin if venom injected )

Edited July 17, 2015 by Aforek

[Saan]

Snake control in our garden is the job of a small white cat - that we adopted after it was abandoned.

She kills one after the other. Fair enough, none are full size but the way she is going none will make it to full size.

The other thing that likes snakes is the big geckos, most gecko/ snake fights end with the gecko winning.

Cats are good at killing fauna. That's why they shouldn't be let outside.

Maybe there is a good reason for all those soi dogs - keep the cat population down.

Friends in Australia were watching TV and could hear their cat playing beside their couch. They looked down to see their dear little moggy had brought a young tiger snake into the house to play with.

[LarryBird]

Banded krait is a cool name...

One thing I haven't seen mentioned that the dude told me, is that the Vipers tend to be at elevation.. I believe he said 200-400 meters.

[CMMCB]

Yes Larry B, but Chiangmai is at about 330m amsl. I've seen MPV's low down on many trails just on the edge of town and also up to at least 800m.