Vipers!

 

   We've had a couple of visits from snakes in the last few weeks.  I knew they were poisonous because of the triangular shape of their heads.  They were night visitors, and dark tan-brown in color, so I couldn't identify the first one.  But my best guess is that they were either a Malaysian Pit Viper or a Siamese Russell's Viper, both "venomous and potentially fatal".  

   The first was spotted one evening just outside the glass door of Tuk's living room.  It headed for the street, and was captured by some locals, who took it elsewhere for safe release.  

   The more recent visit was discovered in the connected toilet area in back of Tuk's area.  This was once an old open toilet space, but has recently been covered with a roof and hosts her washing machine as well as refurbished toilets and shower.  The area is still open enough for critters to climb over the walls  -- we've had Monitor Lizards (aka, "monsters", as Tuk calls them) come in several times.  

   This second viper was found on the inside wall slithering along a water pipe.  Tuk called for help (which I believe was from the fire squad of the neighboring electric company), and a few guys showed up quickly with proper snake gear:  gloves, hooks and a bag.  They bagged it and took it away, with an attitude of "no big deal".  

   Folks here are quite casual about very venomous snakes  -- while I am not used to them  -- yet they freak out when encountering Monitor Lizards or Tokay Geckos.  But these recent viper visits have me a bit spooked, since they tend to have large litters.  I fear there is a nest nearby.  So, I will more carefully watch where I step at night.  

-Zenwind. 

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