Is the mangrove snake another candidate for extinction?

Two decades back, while our research team surveyed several mangrove-lined rivers for crocodiles, the mangrove snake, blunt-headed tree snake or the gold-ringed cat snake (Boiga dendrophila), locally known as binturan, are usually observed twirling itself among the branches or twigs of mangroves waiting for its prey. For this reason, each time we draw near the mangroves, we need to watch out for these mangrove snakes. They appear to be aggressive especially when disturbed.

The Snake Encounter

Once, I joined a mangrove survey in Taritien River in Narra, a municipality south of Palawan. A Japanese herpetologist joined our team in the hope of spotting reptiles in the known crocodile habitat. Suddenly, one of our team members motioned to everybody that a mangrove snake is in front of us. Not everyone could see including me but upon closer inspection, we saw that the snake is jus a few meters away from us. It doesn't move; it's as if the snake was sleeping. The snake was a little less than two feet long.

The Japanese expert on snakes motioned our boat operator to approach the snake with caution. We headed towards the snake apprehensive that it might chase us as locals thought the snake can attack ferociously. It didn’t. The Japanese expert caught it with his bare hands, clamping on its jaws firmly with his thumb and index finger while supporting the length of its body with another. The snake struggled from its captor. He held it for probably a minute or so then released on his lap. We were afraid it would bite him or us, but the snake just crawled on his pants as if nothing happened. It became tame! Our misconceptions about the snake were unfounded. We know nothing about snakes.

Mangrove Snake Characteristics

Mildly-venomous, the bite of the mangrove snake can cause intense swelling but no severe cases of hospitalization or fatalities have been reported. They can average in length from six to eight feet. It preys on bat, lizard eggs, and skink. It is oviparous, or an egg-laying snake.

Habitat and Distribution

Despite its name, mangrove snake is most often found in low brushes and branches of trees in lowland rainforests rather than mangrove swamps. The snake can be found all over Palawan and the islands of Luzon, Polillo, Sicogon, and Mindanao.

Current Status

Since that encounter with the snakes, I never saw or heard about them again. Recently, however, I was able to see at least two of them. One in Iwahig River, and another in Nagsangit River in the mangrove-lined Kitu-Kito Restaurant in Barangay Salvacion. Human activity in the mangrove areas may have been much more frequent displacing the once ubiquitous mangrove snake from its natural habitat. 

Reference

Rabor, D. S, 1986. Guide to Philippine Flora and Fauna: Birds and Mammals. Natural Resource Management Center, Ministry of Natural Resources and University of the Philippines.