Hong Kong Snakes

Hong Kong has over 50 species of snakes, several of which are deadly.

The Chinese cobra, the Banded krait and the Many-Banded krait have caused fatalities. Their bites deliver a neurotoxin that attacks the brain and the nervous system. From what I understand, the venom of these three snakes is slow-acting; if bitten, you have time to get to a hospital.

Other local snakes that pose a problem are the King cobra and the Burmese python. The King can grow to 18 feet in length while the Burmese can reach 24 feet. No humans have been killed by these snakes, but several rural dogs have become dinner.

Snake scares occur when a python gets too close to human habitat, but wildlife officers are alerted and they take care of the problem.

Most Hong Kongers don't give snakes a second thought, except for how nice they'd be in soup.

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