The Philippines is a popular holiday destination for its beautiful coastline, clear waters, and stunning greenery, not to mention its fantastic weather.
However, these factors are also why its 7,641 islands are home to a wide variety of wildlife, including snakes like venomous snakes in the philippines.
Last 3 years, before the cov-19 pandemic, the Philippines welcomed over eight million tourists, attracted to its heritage towns, beaches and nature, and despite some slightly scary local wildlife, the islands are deemed a generally safe place to travel.
Despite the fact that the Terrorist Bandit Groups are present in the regions, especially in the Southern part of the area but for some tourists and visitors, the idea of visiting a holiday destination that is home to venomous snakes is slightly off-putting and could well dictate of what parts of the country you choose to visit, the activities you do, or whether you go at all!
Trekking the various rainforests and mountains that can be an amazing experience, but it is advised to stick to the designated footpaths and not wander into the tall grass, or highly vegetated areas.
It is also worth bearing in mind that snakes are extremely wary of humans and are unlikely to strike unless they feel very threatened, as a last form of defense.
Common sense will usually prevent any nasty encounters.
In this article, I will list down the 6 most dangerous snakes in the Philippines, where they can be found, and what makes them so threatening.
Wagler Pit Vipe
Also known as the Temple Pit Viper, the Wagler is said to be the most common form of Pit Viper found in South East Asia and can be found in lowland forests and mangrove regions.
This snake is commonly identified by its triangular-shaped head.
Like all Pit Vipers, Wagler’s are venomous but not considered to be particularly aggressive, especially towards humans.Although they are typically located in low-level vegetation, this snake can also be found resting in trees, many feet above the ground.
This species will rest in trees for days at a time while digesting a meal and can be found on the ground when it is in search of its next one.
Wagler’s Pit Vipers have heat sensors on either side of their heads which are used to detect prey at night, their diet commonly consists of small rodents, such as rats and some birds.
It is easy to spot the difference between males and females, as males are generally more slender, with a lime green underbelly and red and cream spots/patches on their top, while the end of their tail is a reddish-brown color.
Females typically have a thicker abdomen and are black/dark on the top of the body, with yellow and white bands underneath.
Pit Viper venom attacks red blood cells and not the nervous system which is uncommon amongst snakes.
King Cobra
A carnivorous snake that can grow to 18-foot in length in some cases, and weighs up to 20 pounds, with a lifespan of around 20 years.
This is amongst the most venomous snakes in the world and when ‘standing’ in a striking pose it can face a human eye-to-eye.
King Cobras can lift a third of their body off the floor and still maintain momentum for an attack, making them one of the most notorious snakes in the region.
| Title | Description |
| Lifespan | Around 20 Years |
| Diet | Snakes, Lizards, Eggs and Small Mammals |
| A Single Bite | 2/10 of a Fluid Ounce |
| Characteristics | 18-Foot Length, 20 Pounds Weight |
The good news is, that King Cobras are generally shy and will try their hardest to avoid human contact.
If threatened, this snake will show its famous hood and let off a loud hiss as a warning.
Despite being the longest venomous snake in the world, its venom is not as potent as some of its relatives, however, that is negated by the sheer amount of neurotoxin it can deliver.
In a single bite, the King Cobra can unleash up to 2/10 of a fluid ounce, enough to kill 20 humans or an adult elephant. These toxins attack the brain and result in respiratory and cardiac failure.
In terms of diet, the King Cobra generally feeds on other snakes, lizards, eggs and small mammals.
These giant reptiles can be found in rain forests, bamboo thickets, mangroves, mountain grassland and rivers.
Philippine Cobra the Most Dangerous Snake in the Philippines
The Philippine Cobra (Naja philippinensis) also called the Northern Philippine Cobra has been saved till last as this is the world’s most deadly cobra and the third most dangerous snake on the planet.
Its ability to spit venom up to 3 meters with precision accuracy makes this the most feared snake in the Philippines.
This deadly, spitting cobra is native to Luzon, Catanduanes, Masbate, and Mindoro but sightings have also been reported on some of the neighboring islands.
This cobra is known to live close to lakes, rivers, and other freshwater areas.
Its diet is made up of frogs, lizards, smaller snakes, mice, and rats, and its predators consist of adult King Cobras, the Mongoose, birds and humans.
Average adults grow to over 3 feet in length, but some can grow to as long as 6ft 6 inches and their coloring is light-to-medium brown.
A bite from these snakes results in minimal tissue damage but extreme neurotoxicity which spreads quickly, leading to necrosis and respiratory paralysis.
Research shows that deaths from this species could be as high as 107.1 per 100,000 people, per year in a certain area.
About Snakes in the Philippines
Are there venomous snakes in the Philippines? Yes! The Philippines is home to a variety of different snake species and some of them are indeed venomous, including a range of cobras, vipers, coral snakes and sea snakes which can potentially kill a human if they feel threatened.
However, the vast majority of snakes on the Philippine islands are harmless and almost all snakes will actively avoid interaction with humans.
What is the biggest snake in the Philippines? The biggest snake in the Philippines is the Reticulated Python, the only python to be found in the country’s rain forests.
It is the longest species of snake on Earth and can reach 25 feet in length, weighing in excess of 300 pounds.
How many snakes are there in the Philippines? There are said to be around 175 species of snake in the Philippines, although new discoveries are still being made to this day on some of the smaller, less-explored archipelagos.
The Answer to Two Questions About Snakes
1: How is Temple Pit Viper Snakes commonly identified by?
This snake is commonly identified by its triangular-shaped head.
2: How much venom can a single bite of a King Cobra unleash?
In a single bite, the King Cobra can unleash up to 2/10 of a fluid ounce.