Taitung County authorities yesterday urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid disturbing snakes in the wild, following five reported snakebite cases in the county so far this year.
Taitung County Fire Department secretary Lin Chien-cheng (林建誠) said two of the cases were in Donghe Township (東河) and involved the Taiwan habus, one person was bit by a Chinese pit viper near the South Link Railway and the remaining two were caused by unidentified snakes.
He advised residents near fields to be cautious of snakes hiding in shady indoor areas, especially when entering or leaving their homes at night.
Photo courtesy of the Taitung County Government
In case of a snake bite, Lin urged people to stay calm and, if possible, identify the snake to assist doctors in administering the appropriate antivenom.
The county’s Public Health Bureau said that anyone bitten should be taken to the hospital immediately.
All 16 townships in the county have snake antivenom available, the bureau added.
Taitung County Agriculture Department head Hsu Chia-hao (許家豪) said that snake activity peaks between May and October each year, during Taitung’s hottest and most humid months.
The period sees a significant increase in snake reports, with 565 cases last year — about 70 percent of the total that year, Hsu said, adding that reports are highest during August.
Snakes tend to inhabit areas overgrown with weeds or cluttered with debris, he said.
To reduce the chances of snakes entering homes, he recommended keeping surroundings clean to discourage prey, such as mice, from breeding.
People should avoid walking through overgrown weeds or moving rocks during outdoor activities, Hsu said, adding that if they encounter a snake, they should not disturb or attempt to remove it.
They should call 1999 to report the sighting, and local authorities would dispatch professionals to handle the situation, he said.
Many of Taiwan’s snakes are endangered and play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance by eating mice, so killing them is not recommended, the official said.
The Taitung County Government said most snakes do not actively attack humans, but react defensively when threatened.
The public is advised to follow three principles to ensure personal safety and ecological protection: Do not move, do not startle and report immediately.
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