When it comes to snakes, many people immediately think of “danger” and “venom” and instinctively want to stay as far away from them as possible. However, during the snake education program titled “Stay Calm When Encountering Snakes,” instructor “Monster” introduced the ecology and behavior of snakes in a lively and engaging way, guiding the senior participants at the Luofu Cultural Health Station to see these animals from a new perspective. As one misconception after another was dispelled, participants gradually discovered that snakes might not be as frightening as they had imagined. Sometimes, what we truly need to overcome is the fear that comes from a lack of understanding.

The session began with an introduction to how snakes perceive their surroundings. We often see snakes repeatedly flicking their tongues, which can look as though they are issuing a warning. In reality, they are using their tongues to “smell” the environment. A snake collects chemical particles in the air with its tongue and transfers them to the Jacobson’s organ, also known as the vomeronasal organ, inside its mouth for analysis. The more nervous a snake becomes, the more frequently it may flick its tongue. In addition, snakes do not have movable eyelids and therefore cannot close their eyes to sleep as humans do. Even while resting, their eyes remain open. If a snake stops flicking its tongue for an extended period, it may simply be resting or asleep.

The instructor then introduced the unique anatomy of snakes. Snakes lack a sternum, and their highly flexible jaws and bodies allow them to swallow prey larger than their heads. They also continue shedding their skin throughout their lives as they grow. As a result, shed snake skins can sometimes be found outdoors after rainfall, although finding one does not necessarily mean that the surrounding area is a snake’s permanent habitat. The instructor also addressed another common misconception: snakes do not have only the two prominent fangs we often imagine. Instead, they have rows of smaller teeth, and some venomous snakes even possess replacement fangs that can take over if the original ones are damaged or lost. The venom itself is produced by venom glands, while the fangs function more like needles that deliver the venom into prey.

The ways snakes move are also far more diverse than we might expect. Under normal circumstances, many snakes move by slithering from side to side and can travel almost silently. When startled, some species may bend their bodies and move forward rapidly. Larger snakes may use a nearly straight-line form of locomotion, while on extremely hot surfaces, some snakes alter their movement to minimize contact between their bodies and the heated ground. What may appear to be simple crawling actually reflects a remarkable range of adaptations for survival.

One of the most important parts of the program was challenging stereotypes about venomous snakes. The instructor emphasized that the common belief that “triangular-headed snakes are venomous, while round-headed snakes are harmless” is not a reliable way to identify danger. For example, the many-banded krait and cobra are venomous snakes, yet their heads do not necessarily have a distinctly triangular shape. Conversely, some nonvenomous snakes may appear to have triangular heads despite posing no venomous threat.

The instructor also explained the symptoms associated with different types of snake venom. A bite from a hundred-pace viper, for example, may cause bleeding, swelling, blistering, and tissue damage. Taiwan habu bites can also result in significant swelling and blistering, while bites from the Taiwan green bamboo viper commonly cause localized pain and swelling. The neurotoxic venom of the many-banded krait requires particular caution because the bite site may initially appear minor and cause little pain, even as the venom gradually affects the nervous system and respiratory function. Immediate medical attention is therefore essential.

If someone is bitten by a snake, the most important principles are to remain calm, minimize physical movement, and seek professional medical assistance as quickly as possible. The instructor also reminded participants not to attempt to suck out the venom with their mouths, cut open the wound with a knife, or apply ice or other folk remedies, as these actions may cause further injury or increase the risk of complications.

In addition to sharing scientific knowledge about snakes, the instructor drew on his extensive experience observing them in the wild. He explained that most snakes do not actively pursue humans. If given sufficient space, they will usually choose to move away on their own. In this sense, the traditional saying “beat the grass to startle the snake” reflects the idea of giving snakes an opportunity to detect a person’s presence and retreat. Another long-standing belief—that spreading lime around an area can repel snakes—does not have reliable scientific support.

At the end of the program, instructor “Monster” brought out a variety of snake models and specimens, as well as live snakes, allowing participants to observe and interact with them at close range. When the live snakes appeared, some participants still could not hide their nervous expressions, but many others responded with curiosity and excitement, carefully reaching out to touch them and experience the distinctive texture of their scales firsthand. Some who had initially been afraid of snakes gradually became more comfortable after interacting with them, filling the room with exclamations of surprise and laughter.

Responding to the participants’ reactions, the instructor explained that being afraid of snakes is perfectly natural. On the one hand, this fear may stem from an instinctive caution toward potentially dangerous animals that humans have developed over a long period of time. On the other hand, family upbringing, cultural influences, and education may reinforce the idea from childhood that snakes are inherently dangerous. Fear, however, does not mean that we need to harm them. What matters most is remaining calm when encountering a snake, avoiding unnecessary approaches or attacks, and maintaining a safe distance. In fact, most snakes are more inclined to escape from humans than to attack them.

The instructor also shared that he would soon be traveling to the rainforests of Borneo to observe snakes and insects. Field research inevitably involves certain risks, and even with extensive experience, he must remain vigilant at all times. Nevertheless, he continues to dedicate himself to snake conservation and ecological education, hoping that through repeated outreach and education, more people can develop an accurate understanding of snakes rather than reacting to them with fear and misunderstanding—or seeing every encounter as a matter of “either the snake dies or I do.”

Through this program, a new seed of understanding has hopefully been planted in the minds of many participants. The next time they encounter a snake, fear may no longer be their only response. Instead, equipped with accurate knowledge and respect for life, they can learn to view these animals with greater understanding and truly “stay calm when encountering snakes.”