In Taiwan’s hot and humid summer climate, snake activity increases significantly, especially in mountainous regions where residents are more likely to encounter snakes near their homes. To help the community respond calmly and accurately to sudden snake appearances, National Central University hosted a special training session in Yisheng Village titled “Stay Calm Around Snakes: Summer Snake Hazard Response Training.” The event featured the well-known “Monster Teacher,” who brought years of practical experience to deliver an engaging and informative session.

The workshop provided a comprehensive introduction to snake physiology and behavior, and helped correct many common misconceptions. One fascinating detail was how snakes perceive their surroundings. They use tongue flicking to sense scents and temperature, and the frequency of flicks can even reflect their emotional state—more frequent flicking suggests heightened tension. Because snakes lack external ears and eyelids, they cannot blink; if they aren’t flicking their tongues, they’re likely resting.

Monster Teacher explained that a snake’s jaw is uniquely constructed, composed of two separate bones without a sternum, allowing it to swallow prey much larger than its head. During feeding, they can alternate breathing between the left and right lungs to prevent suffocation. These extraordinary adaptations showcase the snake’s specialization as a predator.

Snake movement is also more intricate than one might imagine. Normally, snakes move silently and skillfully avoid obstacles. When stressed, however, they may move rapidly in a folding motion that resembles jumping. Large snakes sometimes move in a straight line and coil into a circle when resting. On hot surfaces, they often leave horizontal track marks, a strategy to reduce body contact with heated ground.

The course also covered the shedding process, which occurs throughout a snake’s life. Finding shed skin does not necessarily mean a snake lives in that area. Before shedding, a snake’s eyes turn cloudy, impairing vision and making them more alert and defensive. The speaker cautioned against approaching snakes with white, clouded eyes.

A key takeaway from the session was the clarification of how to identify venomous snakes. The speaker debunked the widespread belief that “triangular heads mean venomous, round heads mean safe.” For example, highly venomous species like the banded krait and cobra have rounded heads, while some harmless snakes mimic the triangular shape of venomous ones. Venom is stored in glands and delivered through hollow fangs that are hidden in the upper jaw and extend only when the snake strikes. Each species has a different type of venom: kraits, for instance, have neurotoxic venom that can suppress breathing without causing pain or swelling, while vipers such as bamboo vipers, hundred-pace vipers, and habu can cause swelling, bleeding, or blistering.

Remarkably, snakes have dozens of backward-facing teeth, some of which may remain lodged in a bite wound. They also possess two rows of replacement fangs—if one is lost, another can take its place immediately.

When treating snakebites, Monster Teacher emphasized that one should never cut the wound or attempt to suck out the venom, as both methods can lead to infection. The correct approach is to wrap a bandage above the bite and loosen it every 30 minutes for 5 minutes to slow venom spread. He also debunked the myth that lime powder repels snakes. Since snakes have dry skin, they don’t react chemically with lime. In fact, morning dew can trigger a heat reaction in lime powder, creating potential hazards rather than preventing snake intrusion.

As a professional snake handler, Monster Teacher brought along gentle, non-venomous snakes such as corn snakes and hognose snakes for live demonstration. He taught participants how to identify snake gender, assess venom potential, and safely capture snakes. A key point was to never approach a snake from the front or make sudden gestures or loud noises. Instead, if necessary, one should calmly approach from behind and quickly secure the snake to avoid triggering aggression. Holding a live snake and feeling its texture and movement helped many participants realize that snakes are not inherently dangerous—they can be as gentle as cats or dogs when we take time to understand them.

A memorable moment was when Monster Teacher shared, with humor and impact, his personal experiences of being stung over ten times by hornets and more than fifty times by bees. These stories helped illustrate the differences in venom severity between species. He reminded everyone that not all snakebites are fatal, but none should be taken lightly. Even a mildly venomous snake like the bamboo viper can pose a risk if mishandled or if the victim has a sensitive constitution. Neurotoxic snakes are even more dangerous, as they often leave little to no pain, silently paralyzing vital systems.

This training was not simply about “getting to know snakes.” It offered a rational, scientific perspective on snake behavior and emphasized that these animals act with predictable patterns. Snake prevention isn’t about eliminating them, but about reducing the chances of accidental encounters or conflicts. With the right knowledge, residents of ecologically rich Yisheng Village can learn to coexist safely with snakes and foster a more harmonious relationship between people and nature.