Is that a cobra ?

[Oshkosh]

I think you're pretty lucky the cobra not in biting mood.. how far were you from it? It would certainly have sense your heat/ presence. Next time.. do be very careful. Better to miss a shot than to be bitten by a poisonous snake. Kudos to your bravery (or foolishness, depending on how ppl look at it) .

 

[Optodexine]

i believe the idea is to relocate it not kill it.

 

[zac08]

Cobras like all other snakes BITE only when they are provoked or threatened.

When you walk loudly, they rather move away from you. ONLY when you corner them or go near their nest which they will fiercely protect, will you be in any danger.

Btw, the Black spitting cobra will demonstrate the hood first when threatened and then either spray the venom at your eyes or lunge and bite (if you're close enough). I have encountered one before when I was younger and luckily I was able to recognise the markings and back off in time when it showed the defensive hood postion.

 

[hersheydesai]

!!!!

I am never ever going to AHBT again.

 

[budak]

there's cobras and other snakes aplenty at other popular and well-frequented trails too. Why not get the authorities to eradicate all these too, since we humans are clearly not smart enough to know how to handle these wild animals in their natural habitat?

 

[chngpe01]

definitely pose a threat to macro shooters.

Those bushes near the drain, u need to go near sometimes to shoot butt.. or other insects.

Hope something is done to remove that cobra permanently from this vicinity.

marcus

The snakes probably lives in area for generations, since AH was built .The best way to eradicate them permanently is to build a concrete building in the area, clear all the trees and plants. The cobra will lost their natural habitat and be gone. And so will be the bugs, butterflies and so call "micro shooter" too.

A true nature photographer - whether be it macro or otherwise will understand the relationship with nature and also have a heart and love for nature. Rather than having a destructive views and mind concerned with only taking images of nature(including butterflies and bugs) without any second thoughts of destroying them.

Actually eradicating the public nuisances (ppl who litter there, ppl who pluck flowers and also leaves to have a better shooting angles, ppl who trample on plants to reach into inner inaccessible plants etc) this is much easier - just banned them from AH. :think:

 

[neoro]

The snakes probably lives in area for generations, since AH was built .The best way to eradicate them permanently is to build a concrete building in the area, clear all the trees and plants. The cobra will lost their natural habitat and be gone. And so will be the bugs, butterflies and so call "micro shooter" too.

A true nature photographer - whether be it macro or otherwise will understand the relationship with nature and also have a heart and love for nature. Rather than having a destructive views and mind concerned with only taking images of nature(including butterflies and bugs) without any second thoughts of destroying them.

Actually eradicating the public nuisances (ppl who litter there, ppl who pluck flowers and also leaves to have a better shooting angles, ppl who trample on plants to reach into inner inaccessible plants etc) there is much easier - just banned them from AH. :think:

to further add, the cobra will most probably escape to a neighbouring residential and cause even more havoc.

 

[Numnumball]

Wow, i been there for at least 10 times and have never bumped into it before..(my fav macro spot before AP). Must be on one guard when shooting over dere. :think:

 

[ahbian]

It takes a bit of common sense to avoid trouble with snakes. There is a chinese saying, disturb the grass and alert the snake, more often then not, they will sense human activity and move away even before the person have a chance to see them.


Snakes arent as stupid or vicious as populary potrayed in horror movies, given the choice, they will

1) flee
2) spread their hood (for cobras)/raise their body
3) give a false strike
4) bite (and not inject venom, many venomous snakes do have a choice to inject venom or not upon biting)
5) bite and inject venom

Snakes know we are not suitable to be their prey, unless really pushed, they will not spend energy and venom to attack us.


The common sense is not to corner the snake, threaten them and they will naturally defend themsleves. Teach your kids to respect them and the proper way to react when they see a snake.

And to be a bit long winded, snakes are not poisonous, should be venomous.

 

[otc]

The snakes probably lives in area for generations, since AH was built .The best way to eradicate them permanently is to build a concrete building in the area, clear all the trees and plants. The cobra will lost their natural habitat and be gone. And so will be the bugs, butterflies and so call "micro shooter" too.

why can't this cobra be relocated in a more control environment, afterall this is not a nature reserve. AH is only a small park located infront of the hospital and don't you think the risk is too high for many people especially children, beside macro shooters. We are talking about a venomous snake. ... not taking chances:nono:

OT did the right thing to inform the management of the snake and tks for the notification.

marcus

 

[chngpe01]

don't you think the risk is too high for many people especially children, beside macro shooters. We are talking about a venomous snake. ... not taking chances:nono:

OT did the right thing to inform the management of the snake and tks for the notification.

marcus

As I far as I am concern, it is even more risky to cross the road.

A sticky was already post in this forum more than a year back (http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=362561) - it is not that some big monster has appear suddenly

Hence if you find it too risky than don't go - simple as that, nobody is pointing a gun on your head to go.

If you want to go to a completely safe park then go to the butterfly enclosure in Mandai zoo or Sentosa.

 

[daredevil123]

A lot of us have seen our fair share of snakes during our NS stint. When I was serving my NS in Seletar camp during the mid 90s, we seem tons of black spitting cobras around the grass. Snakes usually like taller grass and will stay more in those unless they are sunning or going after some prey. Some of the ones we saw are around 2m long - yes, very big ones. There was once a smaller one ended up in a drain, and one of the enciks (warrant officers) went in and caught it with his bare hands. He was telling us he is going to make snake wine with it. No one should try this, the encik was a former commando and is a dare devil.

Snakes, even the most venomous ones, will avoid contact. When they hear sounds and disturbances, they will flee at the first chance. Only when cornered, injured or threatened, they will get defensive and offensive.

So people, do not kill or disturb these animals, but do respect them and what they are capable of. Be mindful that every time you step into nature, these animals may be there as well. So wildlife or nature photog should take note. Every time you step into tall grass, be careful. Try not to wear slippers when trekking in tall grass. Wear your army boots.

 

[ahbian]

A lot of us have seen our fair share of snakes during our NS stint. When I was serving my NS in Seletar camp during the mid 90s, we seem tons of black spitting cobras around the grass. Snakes usually like taller grass and will stay more in those unless they are sunning or going after some prey. Some of the ones we saw are around 2m long - yes, very big ones. There was once a smaller one ended up in a drain, and one of the enciks (warrant officers) went in and caught it with his bare hands. He was telling us he is going to make snake wine with it. No one should try this, the encik was a former commando and is a dare devil.

Snakes, even the most venomous ones, will avoid contact. When they hear sounds and disturbances, they will flee at the first chance. Only when cornered, injured or threatened, they will get defensive and offensive.

So people, do not kill or disturb these animals, but do respect them and what they are capable of. Be mindful that every time you step into nature, these animals may be there as well. So wildlife or nature photog should take note. Every time you step into tall grass, be careful. Try not to wear slippers when trekking in tall grass. Wear your army boots.

I will be cruel and say that no one will pity your encik should he get tagged by the snake. But I agree wholeheartedly with your advice, where it is important we educate ourselves with the behaviour of the wild animal if we were to minimise their "danger" to us or our threat to them.

 

[chngpe01]

A lot of us have seen our fair share of snakes during our NS stint. When I was serving my NS in Seletar camp during the mid 90s, we seem tons of black spitting cobras around the grass. Snakes usually like taller grass and will stay more in those unless they are sunning or going after some prey. Some of the ones we saw are around 2m long - yes, very big ones. There was once a smaller one ended up in a drain, and one of the enciks (warrant officers) went in and caught it with his bare hands. He was telling us he is going to make snake wine with it.

Yes I was once as ignorant and have the false notion that these creatures are a big threat to us.

In my younger days, unlike your enciks, I do not use hands. But many a times use golf club to smash their heads (when encountered cobras at the golf courses). I have since then deeply regretted my actions and seek forgiveness (from god) for my foolishness. I still remember the cobras fleeing and then only adopt a defensive stance when cornered, before being smash by me. In fact we are a bigger thread to them then they to us. I don't play golf anymore nor kill snakes (or even house lizards) - Amithaba

 

[Bluesteel]

The black cobra is resident to the southern ridges which includes Kent Ridge Park , Telok Blanga Hill Park , Mount Faber and the surrounding wooded areas of Depot road , Alexandra Park , Portsdown Road . I have encountered a few of them in these areas in the last 3 years and all except one that took its time crossing the terrace at Telok Blangah Hill park, the others all scooted in a hurry. I do not think the black cobra reside in the Butterfly Trail , it is too "clean" for its liking , it was there for food and the Butterfly Trail is its hunting ground .

why can't this cobra be relocated in a more control environment, afterall this is not a nature reserve. AH is only a small park located infront of the hospital and don't you think the risk is too high for many people especially children, beside macro shooters. We are talking about a venomous snake. ... not taking chances:nono:

Send out a search party to look for a snake? It will be like looking for a moving needle in the hay stack. Even if you can locate , capture and translocate him, it does not mean the trial will be free from other cobras . The surrounding areas of AHBT will continue to have cobras that love the trail for their meals, AHBT is their human equivalence of Alexandra Hawker Center . They are there for the same reason that attracted the Macro photogs there , except the photog's subjects are their food. I personally feel that more could be done to educated nature photographers on possible dangers associated with their hobby instead of nature giving way to our activities .

Though venomous , for god sake , he is not there waiting in the bush to ambush unsuspecting photographer or passerby!! He is as shocked as you are when paths are crossed. To me it has equal right as any photographer to be there at the trail. For nature photographers one should respect and love nature for its diversity and the right of each species to exist. If you cannot accept this basic premise than it would be better off for you to visit the artificial places like the Zoo , butterfly/insect parks , switch your genre of photography or hang up your camera..

I do agree that some warning signs could be put up to warn unsuspecting visitors of their likely present at the Trail. Just be cautious , live and let live!!! Do walk like an elephant and use your monopod judiciously in places that are likely to have snakes, to warn them of your present, this includes all the public parks and nature trails in the catchment area including the Botanical Garden. ...... yes, they are there too.

Likely the cobra community are having a similar discussion .

Cobra A: what the Fish these people must come to our hunting ground to disturb us!! That guy give me a flight just when I was about to snatch a frog .

Cobra B: Ya ! These human are dangerous , they will kill you!! @##^%. given half a chance . Why can't they put all these 'animals' in a cage like the zoo or butterfly enclosure!

Cobra C: We cannot win them , if cornered, raise your hood to scare them and then run like hell.;p


:cheers:

 

[daredevil123]

Black cobras are all over the place in Singapore and they do move around. We will have to put warning signs up at every little piece of green in Singapore? Not a viable option. People need to be educated about potential dangers. I guess too many Singaporeans are too used to city living that they even freak out at a sight of a monitor lizard.

When I was living in the states, we would see rattlesnakes when trekking in mountains or just camping in national parks. They are a lot more venomous than the black cobras, and they are a lot faster too. And they are so hard to spot as their color is similar to the color of the rock they usually hang out on.

Just respect them and get around. Do the same when you see a bear. If agitated, a bear can kill you with a swipe of its paw to your face. ;P

 

[daredevil123]

Hi chngpe01, you got a point too. Normally, when they catch it, they put it in the zoo, not kill it , right? I'm just concern for the safety. If my kids were with me today, (they were yesterday), they are most likely to be ahead of me. This cobra was about 3 to 4 feet in front of me this morning...

I saw a show on Discovery on what they do to snakes in singapore after they catch it in city areas. These snakes are not placed in a zoo, but they are all released back to the wild. In the show they show the snakes being released into the jungle around MacRitche Reservoir.

 

[nikkkon]

Who is intruding whose territory now ? A snake is supposed to be in the wild, garden or forest. From the snake point of view, we human are intruding into its nature territory and not the other way round. Much nature has been destroyed by human and I think we should be happy to see wild animals still surviving in a man-made garden.
I dont think there is a need to do 'snakehunting' but a signage of warning should be enough for those fainthearted.

 

[BlueBull]

TS watch too many holiwood movies liao.
Snakes dun chase the first human they see and attempt to grow to SBS Bendy bus length just to eat humans.
Their first intincts is always to run or avoid detection. If you are moving in the grass fields or bushes, make as much noise with the grass as you can and no snake will suddenly jump out and grap you by your head and pluck you into the air and swallow you with slime all over... oh snakes are not slimy. At all.

 

[daredevil123]

no snake will suddenly jump out and grap you by your head and pluck you into the air and swallow you with slime all over... oh snakes are not slimy. At all.

ala Anaconda! (the movie I mean).