Barred Herpetology PH

A snake we can proudly say Sariling Atin 🐍

𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇 𝐈𝐒 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐒 & 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐕𝐄𝐋𝐎𝐔𝐒 𝐖𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍!

This month has been an enlightening chapter learning about one of the most unique yet threatened ecosystems in our country. On March 21, I was one of 60 youth participants who attended a workshop for youth mangrove science communicators hosted by Mangrove Matters PH at LPPWP. The workshop discussed an overview of the mangrove biology and ecology, the ongoing battle for the protection of mangroves and other associated ecosystems, and how the youth can play a pivotal role in promoting coexistence.

Another highlight of this month is meeting the honorable Dr. Jurgenne H. Primavera whose legacy as a scientist and a conservationist spans decades. Yesterday, I attended a forum, Nature Needs Her, at my university which commemorated the contribution of women in the field of science and conservation. At the age of 79, she is still one of the most vocal researchers in the protection of mangroves and other coastal ecosystems from current threats. I also had the opportunity to reunite with familiar faces again. Dr. Marian De Leon and Assoc. Prof. Annalee S. Hadsall are some of the amazing figures I met during my internship at the UPLB Museum of Natural History. They talked about their amazing journey in the field of microbiology and botany respectively.

𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗡𝗚𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗞𝗡𝗢𝗪 𝗕𝗘𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗖𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗔 𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗨𝗘𝗥 🐍🇵🇭

We’ve been getting a lot of messages about snake rescues and removals, so here are a few important things to understand about what we actually do.

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The information below reflects our usual policies and experience. It is not a universal standard, and other rescuers may operate differently. Following this guidance is meant to increase safety and efficiency based on what we’ve learned, but it does not guarantee outcomes for every situation.

𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦
If you see a snake, don’t wait hours or until the next day before calling. The first 30 minutes are usually the most crucial.

If the snake is not contained in an enclosed space, there’s a high chance it will already be gone by the time we arrive.

𝗪𝗛𝗘𝗡 𝗪𝗘 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗡𝗗
We prioritize cases where the snake is:
• Trapped or cornered
• Inside a house or enclosed area with no exit

These situations can make the snake defensive and are considered urgent.

We usually don’t respond to requests to search large areas such as backyards or under flooring when the snake is no longer visible. If you’re not seeing it anymore, the risk is significantly lower since snakes usually move away rather than stay exposed.

𝗦𝗡𝗔𝗞𝗘 𝗕𝗘𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗜𝗢𝗥
Snakes don’t go out of their way to attack people. They avoid contact and will leave if given the opportunity.

Keeping your area clean and rodent-free makes it less likely for snakes to stay.

𝗟𝗘𝗧 𝗜𝗧 𝗟𝗘𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗢𝗥 𝗛𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗜𝗧 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗢𝗩𝗘𝗗
If you just want the snake to leave, give it a clear exit point. In most cases, it will move on by itself.

If you want it rescued or removed, keep a safe distance and maintain visual contact while updating us. This greatly increases the chances of a successful retrieval.

𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗗𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗜𝗦
• Do not try to catch the snake
• Do not poke, corner, or harm it

This is how bites happen and how snakes disappear before we arrive.

𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗙𝗘𝗘𝗦
Yes, we charge for rescues. This covers gas, time, and effort, especially for areas far from our place in Laguna. For urgent cases nearby, we sometimes waive the fee.

This is dangerous work and should not be done by inexperienced individuals.

𝗙𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗟 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘
Sometimes we still respond for peace of mind, but don’t expect the snake to still be there if it was seen several hours or days ago. We do not plant snakes for content or reassurance.

If you’re looking for someone to search your entire property and turn the place upside down for a snake that is no longer visible, that’s not something we do. We usually suggest other people who offer that kind of service.

Snakes generally want nothing to do with people. If it can leave, let it. If it’s trapped or can’t get out, that’s when you can call a rescuer.

📍𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗻𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗰𝘂𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗟𝗼𝘀 𝗕𝗮𝗻̃𝗼𝘀, 𝗟𝗮𝗴𝘂𝗻𝗮:
Please message our page first. We prioritize urgent cases and will respond as soon as possible.

Pic for attention: A rescued Luzon King Cobra (𝑂𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑜𝑝ℎ𝑎𝑔𝑢𝑠 𝑠𝑎𝑙𝑣𝑎𝑡𝑎𝑛𝑎) from Quezon province.

Photo by: Kyle Anadeo Tamayo

We do have native softshell turtles in the Philippines 🐢 here's a post for clarity

𝐀𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐑𝐀𝐓𝐒𝐍𝐀𝐊𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐂𝐔𝐄!

Earlier this March, I rescued this beautiful Luzon Red-tailed Ratsnake (𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑢𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠) from Antipolo City. Luckily, it was not harmed after unfortunately raiding a bird cage. After a week of observation and care, it was successfully released back into the wild. Since it just shed its skin, you can see the vibrant olive brown scales in this adult specimen.

A release video and rescue vlog will be posted soon. Let’s hope small acts like this will promote coexistence with our unique biodiversity.

𝐃𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐫: Do NOT attempt to handle snakes without any professional supervision or training.

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐲!

Channelling my inner Tippi Hedren while taking a photo with this magnificent Philippine Eagle-Owl (𝐾𝑒𝑡𝑢𝑝𝑎 𝑝ℎ𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑝𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠) 🦉

𝟏𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐃𝐫. 𝐀𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐥 𝐂. 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐚'𝐬 𝐁𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐝𝐚𝐲

Let's honor the first Filipino herpetologist
🐍 🐸 🦎🐊🐢

𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐃𝐑. 𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐋 𝐂. 𝐀𝐋𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐀

This will be my first artwork for a new album entitled “Faces of Philippine Biodiversity”. We usually cover Philippine fauna in this page, but let’s also remember the people who paved the way and broaden our understanding of our natural wonders.

Today, March 1, Dr. Angel C. Alcala was born in 1929 in Cauayan, Negros Occidental. He was raised in a coastal community where his passion for marine life began. His career spanned decades as a researcher specializing in marine biology and herpetology. He also served as a civil servant, notably as Secretary of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) where he initiated programs aimed at the protection and restoration of marine life. His contribution earned him countless recognition and accolades, highest of which was the Order of the National Scientists of the Philippines in 2014 under the administration of the late President Benigno S. Aquino III.

In his honor, many species of fauna were named after him (bottom left to bottom right): Alcala’s triangle-spotted snake (𝐶𝑦𝑐𝑙𝑜𝑐𝑜𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖), Alcala’s sun skink (𝐸𝑢𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖), genus 𝐴𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑢𝑠, 𝑃𝑡𝑦𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑑𝑟𝑎 𝑛𝑒𝑔𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑙𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖, Alcala’s reed snake (𝐶𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑎 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖), Alcala’s mountain keelback snake (𝑂𝑝𝑖𝑠𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑡𝑟𝑜𝑝𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖), Alcala’s wolf snake (𝐿𝑦𝑐𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑛 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖), and Alcala’s chromodoris (𝐶ℎ𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑜𝑑𝑜𝑟𝑖𝑠 𝑎𝑙𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑖).

REFERENCE

“National Scientist Angel C. Alcala remembered for works on conservation of marine protected areas”. (2023). Department of Science and Technology. Science and Technology Information Institute. Retrieved from https://www.stii.dost.gov.ph/1624-national-scientist-angel-c-alcala-remembered-for-works-on-conservation-of-marine-protected-areas

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐨𝐥𝐨 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐮𝐞

We have rescued another Luzon Red-tailed Ratsnake (𝐶𝑜𝑒𝑙𝑜𝑔𝑛𝑎𝑡ℎ𝑢𝑠 𝑒𝑟𝑦𝑡ℎ𝑟𝑢𝑟𝑢𝑠 𝑚𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑠). This time, it's an adult ratsnake. This individual was caught after raiding a bird cage. Instances like this happen can happen since snakes can't distinguish the difference between their usual prey and our pets (which looks like an easy meal for a hungry snake).

Special thanks to the Papa household for calling a rescuer and for their warm accomodation.

𝟐𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐏𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐏𝐄𝐓𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐘 𝐒𝐘𝐌𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐈𝐔𝐌 @ 𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐈𝐋𝐀 (November 13-14, 2025)

After 28 years, the University of Santo Tomas in España, Manila has opened its halls for researchers, students, conservationists, artisans, and all walks of life united by their love of herpetology. Given how long it’s been since the last herpetology symposium and the amount of progress in herpetological science over the past decades, one can expect the symposium can only be described as immersive and simply unforgettable.

For this post, I’m taking a page from what Dr. Neil Aldrin D. Mallari imparted to us during his opening remarks. Instead of focusing too much on communicating as people of science, why not try and be storytellers. It would be easy for myself to talk about the great academic works plastered in posters or sharing summaries of the plenary talks, but what does such an event like this mean to an aspiring researcher such as myself and why should we spread the word?

The symposium was a celebration as well as a testament that the flames sparked by Dr. Angel C. Alcala and other notable figures are burning bright. Over the past decades, herpetology has become much more than taxonomy, systematics, and conservation. More importantly, the field itself has become more inclusive to Filipino researchers. It shows the legacy of their works continues to live on through the future generations of Filipino herpetologists and the lives they influenced.

Herpetology, to me, is a path less taken. Even among students who passionately pursue zoology, studying herps is often unpopular compared to charismatic birds, diverse marine fauna, big cats, or amazing insects. You don’t typically hear young students lining up to study slimy frogs or deadly snakes. Attending the symposium felt like stepping into the world inside my own head. I was immersed by the shared knowledge, burning passion, and familiar experiences I only felt with a handful of friends and colleagues.

Being a part of this event felt like an honor. I was given an opportunity to meet the pillars of Philippine herpetology as well as veteran conservationists who dedicated their lives protecting the most amazing yet misunderstood of Philippine fauna. I had the wonderful experience of being able to share a conversation with them, asking my inquiries, discovering new opportunities, and simply having fun. To cite the words of Dr. Mallari, the whole time felt as if we took our footwears off and saw ourselves as equals.

UST Manila holds a special place in my heart, but the memories from this two-day symposium easily take the top spot. Special thanks to everyone that day. From the organizing committee, graduate students and faculties from other academic institutions, my university friends, the esteemed guests and experts, so on and so forth.

Yours truly,
Barred Herpetology PH