A SAD and disturbing article made the news recently (FT, April 17, 2017) that referred to the finding of a snake in Cuvu, near Sigatoka.
This caused fear among local residents, and led to its violent death.
Fear is usually based on ignorance, which certainly applied in this case.
This creature was harmless, but was treated brutally before being killed, simply because people knew no better.
Very sad.
Perhaps schools are not teaching enough in their environmental programs about our local fauna? In the absence of knowledge, fear exists.
Across the country stories are told of “aggressive” snakes, but even a timid snake that fears for its life is bound to become upset and will struggle to free itself.
Fiji’s tree boas would far rather escape than attack.
Given the size of the snake (probably overestimated at eight feet) it is virtually certain to have been the Pacific Tree Boa (Candoia bibroni bibroni) which can grow to approximately six feet.
This shy snake is common in forested areas, but unless you are a rat, mouse or gecko, it is harmless.
I repeat harmless. It lives alone, and not in groups.
The only other terrestrial (land) snake in Fiji is the much smaller Burrowing Snake (bolo) which is very rare, and owing to its habit of burrowing or living under leaf litter or loose soil at ground level is prey to mongoose.
Tree boas’ colours range from beige, to coral, to deep brown and all shades in between.
If you find one leave it alone and don’t harm it as it doesn’t want to hurt you. It may dislike being handled by someone showing off who doesn’t know how to handle a snake properly.
They are harmless to humans even when they grow large, since we are far too big to be their prey.
They are in far greater danger from humans who kill them out of fear.
Incidentally, it is also an offence under The Protection of Animals Act, to ill-treat an animal (this includes reptiles) even wildlife that is held captive.
Tree boas are commonly tree-dwelling night creatures when the air is cooler.
They aren’t poisonous, and kill prey such as rats, mice, etc. by constriction, or crushing them.
It’s rare to see a tree boa on or near the ground.
If you do, chances are it’s a tree that has been cut or fallen and the snake will be searching for a new home.
It is justifiably more scared of you than you should be of the snake.
Periodically I find a snake in my garden, usually when a tree has fallen.
I gently relocate them to a place of safety.
My gardener is terrified of them, but then he’s afraid of geckos too.
He won’t touch one, let alone handle one. An encounter with one of these shy, gentle creatures is always treasured.
For anyone interested in learning more about them, I would encourage them to visit the Kula Eco Park near The Outrigger Resort near Sigatoka. You can see them up close, and staff will let you hold one if you fancy a closer encounter.
Please I beg of everyone, do not harm these gentle native creatures.
They mean you no harm, and if you find one it will need your protection until it’s safely in a tree once more.
I strongly urge everyone to learn more about them, and schools to better educate in order to banish both the fear, and the sad consequences for the snakes when ignorance prevails.
