Taiwan Today

In the Christian Bible, the snake is the spokesman of evil. So, too, in the beliefs of other lands. All over the world man seems to fear and distrust the serpent and to condemn it to death on sight. Among the Chinese, snakes and scorpions are prime symbols of wickedness.

Scientists say such fear and dislike are without objective grounds. Most snakes are harmless. Among the venomous species, none seeks out and attacks man. When the encounter takes place, the snake usually makes every effort to get away. Most persons are bitten because they step on a snake accidentally or disturb one while climbing among rocks or walking through bushes.

Taiwan, with its subtropical climate and dense vegetation, has a large number of snakes, including 16 species that are more or less poisonous. When the island was returned to China in 1945, deaths from snake bite each year totaled around 50, an exceptionally high figure for a population that then numbered about 6% million.

By 1963, snake bite deaths had been reduced to two. The sharp reduction is attributable to education, improved and more easily available anti-toxins, wider use of protective clothing, and, to some extent, the Chinese appetite for snake meat.

The Japanese, who occupied Taiwan from 1895 to 1945, had drafted a ten-year plan to eliminate poisonous snakes. But they didn't have time to implement the project. Japan was defeated in World War II and Taiwan was returned to the Republic of China.

Since then, the Chinese government has spared no effort to reduce both fatalities and the incidence of bites. Mountain dwellers are taught how to prevent snakes from getting into their houses. First aid knowledge is widely disseminated. The killing of poisonous snakes is encouraged. For example, the Yangmingshan Administration pays NT$5 (US12 ½ cents) for each poisonous snake killed in the mountain park near Taipei.

Both 1963 deaths were of snake hunters who were bitten while pursuing venomous species. Each carried his own antidote and tried to save his life. Medical authorities said both could have been saved if they had reached a qualified hospital in time.

Summer Danger

Cases of snake bite totaled about 50 last year. More than half were farmers who either stepped on the snakes or were attempting to kill them. The rest were villagers in remote areas where snakes are plentiful. No city dweller was bitten.

Taiwan also has cases of domestic co-existence between snakes and man. An example is a seven-foot non-venomous snake that lived in the attic of a cottage in Yangmingshan. The snake cleared the house of rats at a time when neighboring houses were infested by them. Seldom seen, the snake slept daytimes and hunted rats and went for water by night.

Statistics compiled by the Provincial Health Department reveal that extremely hot weather or long periods of drought may drive snakes to seek water in rural houses. From the viewpoint of bites, the most dangerous season is midsummer.

Sixty-odd species of snakes are found on Taiwan. Of the 16 that are poisonous, 6 can be lethal, and these account for 88 per cent of the poisonous bites. The other 10 are either rare or their poison is mild.

Identification of venomous snakes is easy if specimens can be studied at close quarters. In the front part of the mouth, at a position corresponding to man's canine teeth, are two enlarged fangs. In the cobra and sea snake groups, these are rigidly fixed in the jaw and have a partially enclosed channel for conducting poison into the wound from glands directly behind the eyes. Snakes of these two groups often bite with a chewing motion, making six or eight wounds. Poison is injected into each wound.

Two other groups, vipers and pit-vipers, have a highly developed mechanism for injecting venom. The two large fangs, perfect hypodermic needles, are mounted on movable bones in the upper jaw. This allows the long curved fangs to fold back against the roof of the mouth when it is closed. When the mouth is opened, they automatically spring forward into striking position.

When these snakes bite, the momentum of the strike is usually sufficient to drive the fangs into flesh. The lower jaw aids in an instantaneous biting motion, and the snake quickly recoils to a new striking position. Usually only two wounds are inflicted.

Venom Differs

The character of the venom of these two groups is also different. The cobra and the sea snake inject neurotoxic venom which attacks nerve centers, finally paralyzing the breathing mechanism. The victim usually dies from suffocation.

The venom of vipers and pit-vipers is haemotoxic (blood poison). This type of venom breaks down blood cells and the walls of blood vessels. The bites are much more painful.

Most dangerous of Taiwan's snakes is the cobra-type krait so well known in India. Mortality is 25.04 per cent in recorded cases. Scientifically identified as bungarus multicinctus, this snake has an interesting pattern of black and white coloring. The body is basically black, but with from 38 to 49 white rings along the trunk and another 9 to 15 on the tail.

The krait may be as long as five feet. It has two pairs of fangs, the larger of 4-5 mm. The head is small, black, and round. Distribution is widespread and includes areas around Taipei, Puli, Tainan, and Hsinchu.

Slightly less lethal but with a more deadly reputation is the hundred (or five) pace snake (agkistrodon ucutus). The hundred paces is a folklore warning that the victim will get no farther than that before expiration. Alarmists have claimed that in some cases the distance may be no more than five steps. Actually, however, mortality is less than for the krait: 24.17 per cent.

Variety of Cobra

The hundred-pacer is a little longer than the krait and the largest venomous species on the island. Color is grayish brown, and there is a series of triangular blackish spots. The head is large and triangular, dark brown on top and yellow on the sides. Two pipe fangs range from 14 to 16 mm. This snake is found in central, south, and east Taiwan around Taichung, Puli, Hsinkang, Hengchun, and Hualien.

The cobra is also common on Taiwan. Bigger ones can reach five feet, with blackish brown body and gray belly. When excited, the cobra has the habit of raising its head, flattening its neck, and uttering a hissing tone. At this time, a pair of white rimmed, spectacle-like markings can be seen on the upper part of the flat neck, hence the name "spectacle-snake" in Chinese.

Scientifically known as the naja naja atra, the cobra inflicts a morality of 14.97 per cent. It is common in southern Taiwan.

The Taiwan habu has the most formidable-leaking head—it's typically triangular on a narrow neck, equipped with a couple of large and long pipe fangs (14-16 mm). However, it is not so lethal—mortality is 8.38 per cent.

Next comes the Taiwan Russel's viper (vipera Russelli Formosensis). This three-foot species has light orange-colored and black-rimmed markings on its light gray back. The head is somewhat triangular with two blackish rhombic markings placed symmetrically on each side and one elliptical marking behind them. When excited or challenged, it gives the characteristic low tone of the common cobra. Mortality is 2.22 per cent. Distribution is eastern Taiwan.

The bamboo snake (trimeresurus gramineus Stejnegeri) is probably the most beautiful specimen. It is deep green, resembling a stick of green bamboo, hence its name. The short part of the tail is, however, colored brownish red, which is a valuable attribute in differentiating it from green but non-venomous snakes.

The bamboo snake is small (76 cm.) and its venom is relatively mild. The mortality is only 0.90 per cent.

Harmless snakes of Taiwan are numerous. Probably the most interesting is the worm snake, which is blind and leads a subterranean life, usually feeding on larvae and the eggs of small insects. Scientifically called the typhlops braminus, this snake is small—about a foot at maximum length. Color is mud-like brown.

Colubridae (common or typical snake) are plentiful on Taiwan. Around 32 varieties are found. Most are completely harmless, but some have a very mild poison. Bites are never serious. The garter snakes, water snakes, racers, rat snakes, and gopher snakes common to the United States belong to this large family and are represented on Taiwan.

Protective Coloration

Among the colubridae are snakes of every size and shape. Some are long and slender, others short, stocky, and sluggish. They feed on birds, frogs, and rodents, and occasionally eat eggs. The common snake is found alt over Taiwan, from the plains to 3,000 feet above sea level.

Some completely harmless snakes, either by accident or by process of protective evolution, resemble poisonous varieties in color and form. The krait's black and white bands make that poisonous reptile easy to recognize. Some harmless snakes of the genus dinodon also are marked with vari-colored bands and in some phases might be mistaken for the krait. The vivid green of the poisonous bamboo snake is seen in the harmless "vine snake". At a fleeting glance, the two can be confused. The vine snake, however, does not have a red tail like the bamboo snake and its head is smooth and slender.

First Aid Treatment

As the correct identification of an unfamiliar snake is normally a matter of specialized knowledge and close examination of scale characteristics, it is necessary to remember that species are variable and occasionally produce individuals with extreme variation in color or markings. When the time approaches for a snake to slough (cast its skin), its general coloration may be appreciably duller than usual.

In the event of a bite, the snake should be killed with a stick and taken to a hospital with the patient. Identification then can be determined or confirmed by an expert. This may be of great assistance to the doctor in deciding on treatment.

Generally, the bite will be on the extremities. A doctor should be summoned immediately. Meanwhile, the victim should receive first aid to remove the venom and to protect against secondary infection. This usually may be done by cutting an incision six to eight mm. deep across the fang mark, then applying suction and pressure to extract the venom.

Anti-toxin is available through Taiwan hospitals and doctors. Two of the best known manufacturers are the Taiwan Sera and Vaccine Laboratory in Shihlin near Taipei, and the Taiwan Venomous Snakes Research Laboratory in Chiayi in southern Taiwan. The latter claims to produce an antidote which is effective for all bites of snakes and insects.

Gall Eaten Raw

Taiwan snake catchers usually have their own anti-toxins. The formulae are secret but the efficacy is doubtful. Teng Ah-chih, a famous snake-catcher of Miaoli, was bitten by a krait and at once took his own antidote. The drug lengthened his painful struggle for a few more hours; he died a slow death.

Snakes are highly esteemed by the Chinese as a tasty, nutritious delicacy. Natives of the southeastern coastal province of Kwangtung are especially fond of snake dishes. The more poisonous the snake, the higher the price. A favorite dish is cobra cooked with chicken and cat. It has the fancy name: "dragon-tiger-phoenix party."

The gall of the snake is especially valued. It is usually eaten raw. The customer goes to a snake shop (found in back streets of Taiwan cities), chooses a snake, and waits for it to be killed. He puts the still warm, dark-green gall in a small cup of Kaoliang wine, and downs it at a gulp. The gall is said to be good for the eye.

Another favorite in Taiwan is snake wine. The brewing method is to soak a whole poisonous snake, skin, bone and all, in two gallons of Kaoliang wine. The vessel is tightly sealed, then buried deeply underground. After a year, the snake will have completely dissolved and the white Kaoliang is deep yellow. This wine is believed efficacious in curing rheumatism and ailments of the eye.

Poisonous snakes also are boiled up into panaceas. The "Paishe Powder"  (Hundred-snake Powder) of the Taiwan Venomous Snakes Research Laboratory of Chiayi is advertised as having the power to cure nervousness, backache, fatigue, malnutrition, and sexual impotency.

Modern medical experts, however, have pointed out that snake meat and entrails are no different those of other animals or reptiles. Aside from being rich in protein, the experts say, the snake doesn't seem to possess special medical efficacy. They suggest that Chinese use snake as an aphrodisac only because of the same resemblance that was found by Freud and that is supposed to figure in erotic dreams.