Snakes in Bali and how to behave… first aids

During your trip to Bali, it is possible that you will encounter snakes. But don’t worry, most travelers will not come across snakes during their stay in Bali.

Obviously, there is a higher chance you see one in the jungle than in a touristic city as Canggu, but they can show up anywhere. So, either way, it is important to start your trip in Bali prepared. In this blog you can read everything you need to know about snakes in Bali and what to do if you see one or get bitten.

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Snakes in Bali

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There are 46 different types of land snakes and 18 different types of sea snakes in Bali. Of these, 6 are poisonous. It is hard to keep them all apart, so it is best to treat them all the same with respect. Leave them alone and above all, do not touch them. The snakes in Bali are not that aggressive. They usually don’t bite anything they can’t eat, but if you step on them or grab them, it can happen. Most snakes in Bali are especially active in the rainy season. Following, are some examples of poisonous snakes living in Bali. 

Island Pit Viper

The Island Pit Viper is the most seen venomous snake in Bali. A bite of this snake can cause death because there is no anti-venom. To survive a bite of the Pit Viper people may need to amputate their limbs. 

The snake lives in the trees in a tropical rainforest but can also found in other places. The snake is green with a brown tail and has a triangular head. The Pit Viper is usually between 1 and 2 meters long. His green color makes it difficult to recognize him in the jungle, where he hangs in the trees during the day. At night, he becomes active and comes out of the trees to look for food. He hunts frogs, lizards, rodents and birds. 

King Cobra

Another venomous snake that lives in Bali is the King Cobra. This is the biggest venomous snake in the world with a length of 4 meters or longer. The snake is mainly found in west Bali.

The Cobra can lift his body off the ground when he is threatened. He is then as tall as a human. The King Cobra usually doesn’t bite, only when he is threatened or injured. He has a venomous bite and can also strangle you. A bite of the King Cobra can cause respiratory failure, muscle paralysis and death. There is no anti-venom in Bali. The King cobra is active during the day. He can also be cannibalistic and eat other snakes. 

Javan Spitting Cobra

Another Cobra that lives in Bali is the Javan Spitting Cobra. Like the King Cobra, the Javan Spitting Cobra can lift its upper body when he feels threatened. 

He has a venomous bite and can also spray venom from its fangs up to two meters. If the venom gets into your eyes, rinse with running water for 30 minutes. Do not rub in your eyes because that can cause swelling and blindness. A bite from the Javan Spitting cobra can cause necrosis, respiratory failure, tissue swelling, muscle paralysis and death. However, there is an anti-venom. 

The Javan Spitting Cobra is growing up till 1,3 meters. He lives in all rural areas of Bali and is active both during the day and at night. He hunts on rodents, lizards, frogs and other snakes.

Blue Krait

The most venomous snake in Bali is the Blue Krait. He is called the Blue Krait, but he can have many colors except blue. The Krait can have black and white rings or be one color as black, light, or dark brown, orange or grayish. Because he can look very different, he is difficult to recognize. 

They become active when it rains and usually late at night. A bite of the Blue Krait hurts a little to not at all, but after a few hours the breathing and heart will stop. There is no anti-venom against a bite from the Blue Krait, but it is possible to survive if you are on a ventilator. They do not tolerate light well, so to keep this snake out it is smart to keep a lamp on or shine a flashlight.

Banded Sea Krait

The Banded Sea Krait is the most common snake species in Bali. Most sea snakes live far and deep in the sea. The Banded Sea Krait, on the other hand, lives much closer to land. They are often found in small caves at Tanah Lot.

The Banded Sea Krait snake lays its eggs on land, slights over the shore and make nests among rocks. Watch out when walking over isolated parts of Bali’s coastline and in shallow water. Like the krait snake that live on land, the banded sea krait is poisonous. There is no anti-venom. You can recognize them by the black and gray bands all over their bodies. Sea Kraits are non-aggressive, they usually won’t bite unless held or stepped on.

Reticulated Python

The Reticulated Python is not a poisonous snake, but it can strangle you. If someone is strangled, several people must come and help to loosen the grip of the snake. Start at the tail and have someone to hold the head so that the snake cannot bite. A bite of the Reticulated Python is not poisonous, but you can get an infection.

Asian Coral Snake

The Asian Coral Snake is not a sea snake even though you might think so when you hear the name. He is small, but that doesn’t make him any less dangerous. They are very poisonous, but rarely seen.

The Asian Coral snake lives under leaves and in the ground. He doesn’t grow longer than 35 centimeters. They are black or brown and have an orange or yellow stripe across their bodies. There is no anti-venom for a bite of the Asian Coral Snake.

Start prepared with your trip in Bali

Make sure you are prepared before you arrive in Bali. This means that you have to know which hospital or clinic can treat a snake bite and bring their phone numbers. Use a flashlight at night to avoid stepping on snakes. Don’t try to kill them yourself. Make a lot of noise during a walk in tall grass or a rice field, so that snakes will go away. Wear long pants and closed shoes in the jungle. Finally, take pictures from at least 2 meters away. Below follow tips on what to do if you see a snake, if you get bitten and what not to do.

What to do when you see a snake in Bali

– Stand still and go back slowly.

– Keep an eye on him, don’t lose sight of him.

– Inform everyone around you

– Take a photo from a safe distance to identify the snake.

– Call a professional snake catcher.

What to do when you get bitten

– The most important thing, stay calm!

– Leave the place where the bite occurred.

– Take a picture of the snake if possible and from a safe distance to identify the snake. 

– Make a note of the time.

– Remove anything tight, like jewelry from around the bitten part of the body, because it can swell. 

– Go to a health facility, call beforehand that you are coming. Don’t wait for the ambulance, let someone drive you there if possible.

– Try to keep the bitten part still because movements help to quickly spread the venom.

– Be prepared to stay in the hospital at least 48 hours.

What not to do

– Pick up the snake or trap on it.

– Wait for symptoms, get medical help immediately. 

– Drive yourself to the hospital.

– Cut or suck out the venom or use a tourniquet.

– Apply cold or hot packs ice or water on the wound.

– Eat or drink something and take no medicines.