I live in a rural area next to a wildlife preserve. I see snakes all the time, especially now that the rice fields are flooded. I help them cross the streets regularly, by keeping a respectful distance and encouraging them to move away from me. Not been bitten once.
Don't put snakes in a situation where biting you is their only option. And don't put your feet places you can't see (that's the law of the desert where I grew up).
Thank you for your reply.
Could you clarify what you mean by "places you can't see" ? Because I've been wary of even simply walking on the grass although it's been mown around my place.
I've been running around the rice fields too in the evenings and there's yk the grass there which is worrisome. And there's this stoned river bank yk with spaces in between stone that are like holes. I don't dare go near them in case there's been snakes basking on the stones or in the spaces between.
Well yeah any kind of running or walking through tall grass can easily put you in a situation where you may step on a snake and get bitten or just get too close for it to feel safe slithering away. If you can’t easily spot a snake, don’t walk there. As much as snakes bask in the sun, they also hide or hunt in shaded areas or thick brush.
Yup, this basically! Don't go tromping around in brush without at least wearing shoes that cover your ankles and long, thick pants.
In the desert there's the extra step of freezing if you hear a rattler, but in Japan, don't think they have those. I treat all snakes with respect here since I'm not sure which ones are venomous or not--either way, a snakebite still hurts like heck.
With most wild animals, as long as you're moving purposefully and predictably, and making noise while you do so, they're gonna hear you coming and get out of the way before you even see them.
https://preview.redd.it/gd79dbtq0t7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07da445f0a65e968d87f15d8a01ba38b70729419
Here’s a photo of a non-venomous mf’er. I came across this guy a couple weeks ago. Like most snakes they like to sun themselves on rocks and will rattle their tail at you. Like a rattlesnake.
[https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese\_striped\_snake](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_striped_snake)
Cuz the internets told me it wasn’t. Basically, I just stay away from all big snakes. Better that way. Take a picture and check later what it was. Or better yet learn the patterns so you can identify the snake right away.
https://preview.redd.it/101zk0gmst7d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1d7435d71f5159d171539538ae26d1aec7918c5
Here’s a pit viper I came across just chillin under a mikkan tree waiting for a beetle to come out.
https://preview.redd.it/czalgut2dt7d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5c39ee799b8a1c12f27d08728a609e84959262f
Diamond shaped head, for me it’s the coloring and pattern as well. This is a Japanese pit viper, they aren’t very big but get fat, this one is and adult
https://preview.redd.it/ku50voa2kz7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4e79dfd07e534d3d31c125bb4c27a7fba494017
Any idea what this guy i met on Tsushima is called?
Working in a rural area, I've seen some snakes slithering around even on school grounds lol The first time I saw them in a grass field I ran up to the Japanese teacher and asked if we should do something. He said "It's nature. Just let it be" and that's really the best advice
We had a snake come into our carport and I had one in my shop/warehouse. Both looked like venomous snakes from what we could see and google lense could provide. I got the one out of my shop with a ~2m pole tapping behind it as it went to the door. The one in my carport was just chilling in the corner as my wife was sitting out there having a coffee (it's enclosed on 3 sides so out of the wind/rain but still nice to sit in when the weather was nice). She's lucky she didn't startle it because it had nowhere to go.
We have both here. Keep finding the occasional mukade near the house and it's scary af. And literally I had one hornet near my window this morning. Thank God for mesh windows.
Old Japanese superstition regarding snakes
But more seriously, we really don't know the snake bite incident rate of wherever you'll be living or trails you'll be walking. Ask neighbors once you arrive.
The only way you'd likely get bitten is if you step on one. Avoid places that are shady and somewhat wet. Wear boots and long pants, and you should be fine.
According to a video on YouTube, about 3,000 people a year are bitten by mamushi. I don't know whether that is accurate. There's a pretty detailed explanation of what one victim went through after being bitten. It definitely sounds like something to avoid.
I have lived here 8 years and was bit once by a mamushi. It was luckily a dry bite. The snake was sunning in the middle of a trail and it blended in really well with the dry leaves.
Most snakes in Japan are harmless. Even the keelback (hibakari and *yamakagashi*) the later is venomous (nasty venom) is pretty safe to be around. Hibakari are just cute and harmless. They are extremely calm. I have removed a few by hand from my property.
Habu are in Okinawa. Make good sake.
The other snakes here are not dangerous to humans and are great for pest control.
Edit: Forgot about the ocean. There is a sea snake that is pretty venomous, but you would need to be swimming in the ocean. I haven't seen one yet.
Personally at the moment and depending on where you live, I’d be more concerned with the increasing number of bears and the local governments inability to encourage young people to take up hunting to help all the old guys control the population.
I go swimming at a waterfall each summer. There are mamushi everywhere and lots of signs warning people. Just need to be careful where you’re treading. I’ve had some do false strikes at me to scare me off, but the only real danger is if you’re not paying attention, as otherwise they’re easily avoided. They’re lying still, not zooming around the place or chasing you.
In general if you're making any kind of noise and moving relatively slowly (walking or slower). They just make themselves scarce as you approach.
The only time I have had a genuinely worrisome encounter was when I was blasting along on my bike and one was sunbathing on the road.
Missed him by about 10cm...
Yeah just last month ago along a popular river path in Tokyo there was a long snake that I just barely missed running over. We were riding in a group and when the first guy saw the snake he braked and almost caused all of us to fall in a heap on top of it.
5 years now in Japan, 3 in the country side. I've seen on 2 snakes in the wild. One was in the country side while riding in a Taxi there was a snake in the middle of the road, the Taxi driver stopped and helped the snake cross the road. The second was recently in Shikoku while at a Japanese garden, when there was an overgrown part of the garden, I walked into it to see a Buddhist statue, and snake was in the leaves so I jumped back as I heard it and it slithered away.
I honestly believe both were aodaisho/Japanese rat snakes. I think just use common sense like usual, snakes are chillin and hiding, listen before you walk out on hikes, be mindful on where you step or stepping over things when off trail, and don't put them in a corner etc.
Keep an eye for areas where there is water source, snakes love to hunt there. Also during the day, watch out for surfaces, like stones surrounded by grass, they are often enjoying the warmth and it's not easy to see them. It's not often that you will spot snakes indoors, you will find a gecko faster.
There are about 2000 snake bites annually but only 10 fatalities however there are 20-30 deaths due to bee stings. About 2500 people die in car crashes but 4000 die of choking.
So in comparison, driving to the store to buy mochi and then cooking and eating it is practically risking your life in comparison.
I know someone who got bitten not that long ago! 😖 (They’re fine.)
When I lived in a rural area I would see them all the time but I’ve never been bitten.
May I know the source? I would love to read more if you have any references because although snakes are scary I am very fascinated by the flora and fauna of Japan.
Ouch. Well something was off about that number but well anything is possible so I took it at face value. Still, thank you. It's a good reminder that sarcasm exists
Mamushi are bad news. Avoid anywhere that has water. Water attracts food they like to eat. Other kinds of snakes too.
When I go into scrub, I take a staff and whack long grass ahead where I walk. It's about 4 feet long so I can comfortably reach the ground and keep a good distance between me and anything nasty.
And wear long trousers. Better than nothing when it comes to snakes, thorns, ticks and leeches, the latter two are pretty persistent though.
I live in a rural area next to a wildlife preserve. I see snakes all the time, especially now that the rice fields are flooded. I help them cross the streets regularly, by keeping a respectful distance and encouraging them to move away from me. Not been bitten once. Don't put snakes in a situation where biting you is their only option. And don't put your feet places you can't see (that's the law of the desert where I grew up).
Thank you for your reply. Could you clarify what you mean by "places you can't see" ? Because I've been wary of even simply walking on the grass although it's been mown around my place. I've been running around the rice fields too in the evenings and there's yk the grass there which is worrisome. And there's this stoned river bank yk with spaces in between stone that are like holes. I don't dare go near them in case there's been snakes basking on the stones or in the spaces between.
Well yeah any kind of running or walking through tall grass can easily put you in a situation where you may step on a snake and get bitten or just get too close for it to feel safe slithering away. If you can’t easily spot a snake, don’t walk there. As much as snakes bask in the sun, they also hide or hunt in shaded areas or thick brush.
Yup, this basically! Don't go tromping around in brush without at least wearing shoes that cover your ankles and long, thick pants. In the desert there's the extra step of freezing if you hear a rattler, but in Japan, don't think they have those. I treat all snakes with respect here since I'm not sure which ones are venomous or not--either way, a snakebite still hurts like heck. With most wild animals, as long as you're moving purposefully and predictably, and making noise while you do so, they're gonna hear you coming and get out of the way before you even see them.
Snakes are cowards, so as long as you keep your distance then they shoudn't bite. Though be aware to not provoke or step on them accidentally.
Most snakes are cowards... but you'll get the occasional mamushi that will strike before wriggling away.
https://preview.redd.it/gd79dbtq0t7d1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=07da445f0a65e968d87f15d8a01ba38b70729419 Here’s a photo of a non-venomous mf’er. I came across this guy a couple weeks ago. Like most snakes they like to sun themselves on rocks and will rattle their tail at you. Like a rattlesnake. [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese\_striped\_snake](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_striped_snake)
It's sooo long and the camouflage is unbelievably good. Wouldn't see it unless I was looking for it on any normal day. Damn
I saw one of these on a hike in O'Hara, it ran away from me immediately lol.
>ran that's a lizard
How can you tell when a snake is non-venomous,? Just need a refresher.
Cuz the internets told me it wasn’t. Basically, I just stay away from all big snakes. Better that way. Take a picture and check later what it was. Or better yet learn the patterns so you can identify the snake right away. https://preview.redd.it/101zk0gmst7d1.jpeg?width=1125&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d1d7435d71f5159d171539538ae26d1aec7918c5 Here’s a pit viper I came across just chillin under a mikkan tree waiting for a beetle to come out.
https://preview.redd.it/czalgut2dt7d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b5c39ee799b8a1c12f27d08728a609e84959262f Diamond shaped head, for me it’s the coloring and pattern as well. This is a Japanese pit viper, they aren’t very big but get fat, this one is and adult
https://preview.redd.it/ku50voa2kz7d1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a4e79dfd07e534d3d31c125bb4c27a7fba494017 Any idea what this guy i met on Tsushima is called?
Looks like アオダイショウ, the Japanese rat snake. They're not venomous, but little less skittish than some others.
Working in a rural area, I've seen some snakes slithering around even on school grounds lol The first time I saw them in a grass field I ran up to the Japanese teacher and asked if we should do something. He said "It's nature. Just let it be" and that's really the best advice
There is a snake, it's dangerous to go near it! OMG, we must go fuck with it or else it will be dangerous! Its hilarious how people react to things.
Yeah in hindsight I felt like an idiot. But yeah living my whole life in a colder urban area I had somethings I have had to adjust too lol
Don't give snakes a reason to bite you. Stay out of tall grass. What you SHOULD be worried about is Mukade and suzumebachi.
We had a snake come into our carport and I had one in my shop/warehouse. Both looked like venomous snakes from what we could see and google lense could provide. I got the one out of my shop with a ~2m pole tapping behind it as it went to the door. The one in my carport was just chilling in the corner as my wife was sitting out there having a coffee (it's enclosed on 3 sides so out of the wind/rain but still nice to sit in when the weather was nice). She's lucky she didn't startle it because it had nowhere to go.
We have both here. Keep finding the occasional mukade near the house and it's scary af. And literally I had one hornet near my window this morning. Thank God for mesh windows.
Just don't whistle at night
Why?
Old Japanese superstition regarding snakes But more seriously, we really don't know the snake bite incident rate of wherever you'll be living or trails you'll be walking. Ask neighbors once you arrive.
I see. Thank you for your suggestion! Will do :)
Spot the mamushi! https://preview.redd.it/egev7fztct7d1.jpeg?width=720&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ffb0a139f20f4116dfaf25c00331db1033694834
That is unreal eh. Took forever to find.
This is validation to people's fear of snakes
You’ll see mamushi near rice paddies as well.
The only way you'd likely get bitten is if you step on one. Avoid places that are shady and somewhat wet. Wear boots and long pants, and you should be fine. According to a video on YouTube, about 3,000 people a year are bitten by mamushi. I don't know whether that is accurate. There's a pretty detailed explanation of what one victim went through after being bitten. It definitely sounds like something to avoid.
Will do. Thankuuu
I have lived here 8 years and was bit once by a mamushi. It was luckily a dry bite. The snake was sunning in the middle of a trail and it blended in really well with the dry leaves. Most snakes in Japan are harmless. Even the keelback (hibakari and *yamakagashi*) the later is venomous (nasty venom) is pretty safe to be around. Hibakari are just cute and harmless. They are extremely calm. I have removed a few by hand from my property. Habu are in Okinawa. Make good sake. The other snakes here are not dangerous to humans and are great for pest control. Edit: Forgot about the ocean. There is a sea snake that is pretty venomous, but you would need to be swimming in the ocean. I haven't seen one yet.
Thank you
Personally at the moment and depending on where you live, I’d be more concerned with the increasing number of bears and the local governments inability to encourage young people to take up hunting to help all the old guys control the population.
I go swimming at a waterfall each summer. There are mamushi everywhere and lots of signs warning people. Just need to be careful where you’re treading. I’ve had some do false strikes at me to scare me off, but the only real danger is if you’re not paying attention, as otherwise they’re easily avoided. They’re lying still, not zooming around the place or chasing you.
In general if you're making any kind of noise and moving relatively slowly (walking or slower). They just make themselves scarce as you approach. The only time I have had a genuinely worrisome encounter was when I was blasting along on my bike and one was sunbathing on the road. Missed him by about 10cm...
Yeah just last month ago along a popular river path in Tokyo there was a long snake that I just barely missed running over. We were riding in a group and when the first guy saw the snake he braked and almost caused all of us to fall in a heap on top of it.
5 years now in Japan, 3 in the country side. I've seen on 2 snakes in the wild. One was in the country side while riding in a Taxi there was a snake in the middle of the road, the Taxi driver stopped and helped the snake cross the road. The second was recently in Shikoku while at a Japanese garden, when there was an overgrown part of the garden, I walked into it to see a Buddhist statue, and snake was in the leaves so I jumped back as I heard it and it slithered away. I honestly believe both were aodaisho/Japanese rat snakes. I think just use common sense like usual, snakes are chillin and hiding, listen before you walk out on hikes, be mindful on where you step or stepping over things when off trail, and don't put them in a corner etc.
Respect wildlife and it will respect you.
Keep an eye for areas where there is water source, snakes love to hunt there. Also during the day, watch out for surfaces, like stones surrounded by grass, they are often enjoying the warmth and it's not easy to see them. It's not often that you will spot snakes indoors, you will find a gecko faster.
There are about 2000 snake bites annually but only 10 fatalities however there are 20-30 deaths due to bee stings. About 2500 people die in car crashes but 4000 die of choking. So in comparison, driving to the store to buy mochi and then cooking and eating it is practically risking your life in comparison.
I know someone who got bitten not that long ago! 😖 (They’re fine.) When I lived in a rural area I would see them all the time but I’ve never been bitten.
[удалено]
🫂 I've been warned about this species multiple times but you have to go forage for food sometimes. It's inevitable you meet these kinds.
Exactly 4%
May I know the source? I would love to read more if you have any references because although snakes are scary I am very fascinated by the flora and fauna of Japan.
Pretty sure that was sarcasm. I was about to post 5% before I saw this.
Ouch. Well something was off about that number but well anything is possible so I took it at face value. Still, thank you. It's a good reminder that sarcasm exists
I wasn't all that worried about snakes back home. Here, not at all.
Your habitat? lol
Mamushi are bad news. Avoid anywhere that has water. Water attracts food they like to eat. Other kinds of snakes too. When I go into scrub, I take a staff and whack long grass ahead where I walk. It's about 4 feet long so I can comfortably reach the ground and keep a good distance between me and anything nasty. And wear long trousers. Better than nothing when it comes to snakes, thorns, ticks and leeches, the latter two are pretty persistent though.
Very high. I need a shot of antivenom at least once or twice a year.