A photo of a snake slithering along the walking trail on Guia Hill appeared on the internet yesterday, according to government broadcaster TDM’s Chinese radio channel Ou Mun Tin Toi.
According to the report, upon media enquiries, the Municipal Affairs Bureau (IAM) said that staff had been sent to the area to check once they were informed about a snake having been spotted there, but after inspecting the area and nearby woods, they could not find the serpent, saying that the snake has likely returned to its hideout to rest.
The report said that based on the photo of the snake taken by netizens and posted on the internet, IAM staff assumed that it’s probably an oriental ratsnake, a breed they said was commonly seen in Macau, adding that this kind of snake can be as long as two to 2.5 metres. These snakes are non-venomous and mainly feed on rodents.
Quoting an IAM staff member, the report said that the snakes that make Macau their habitat are mostly harmless to humans, pointing out that some of them feed on rodents therefore they help keep the ecosystem balanced.
The report also said that the IAM staff member pointed out that snakes in general are afraid of humans and don’t usually attack them, urging people not to be scared when coming across a snake, but to keep a safe distance so that the snake can safely slither away.
IAM staff also said that people should remain calm so as to avoid reactions that could mislead the snake and then be more at risk of being bitten. The bureau suggested that in case of doubt people call 2833 7676 or the police or fire services for advice and possible assistance.
This photo from TDM’s Chinese-language radio channel website yesterday shows a snake slithering along a walking trail on Guia Hill.
