VietNamNet Bridge - Habitat change may be one of the reasons for the abnormal growth and attacks against humans by red-tailed vipers in the central provinces of Quang Ngai, Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, scientists have said.

A victim of red-tailed viper.

In the last few months, the number of victims of red-tailed vipers in the central region has increased. Many people were bitten at home.

The Chairman of the Zoology Association, Mr. Dang Huy Huynh, pointed out two reasons: Firstly, in the process of transporting of snakes by traffickers, snakes escaped, and secondly due to habitat changes, snakes could not find food so they had to look for something to eat in other areas.

"Because of deforestation, snakes lost their shelter and food so they went into houses where there could hide and find rats, frogs and insects," said Professor Huynh, adding that snakes usually get under the bed because they prefer dark and cool places.

Dr. Le Nguyen Ngat from the Hanoi University of Teacher Training also said that vipers got into houses because their sources of food might have been exhausted. "Red-tailed vipers generally are not dangerous to humans. They never actively bite someone, just those who accidentally bump into them," he said.

To avoid red-tailed vipers, Mr. Nguyen Quang Truong from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources advised people to clean up bushes around their houses.

Professor Huynh said that snakes usually live and find food at night, so people should close the door tightly when sleeping and do not lie on the ground. They also should pay attention to the water tank area and the ground under the bed, where vipers can hide. They can also use dogs to chase snakes.

"When you see a snake, you should use a rod to repel it, rather than capture or kill it because red-tailed vipers will not attack human unless they are threatened and this is also the way to conserve biodiversity of this species,” Professor Huynh said.

Red-tailed viper (Trimeresurus albolabris) is very common throughout Vietnam. This species often prefers to live in the hills with elevations below 400 m, in evergreen forests, wetlands or agricultural lands. Their food is mice, birds, lizards and frogs. They are on the ground at night, and rest in trees during the day.

Mai Hoang