Snake Safety In Brunei: What You Need To Know

Snakes are a common part of Brunei's fauna, with a variety of species inhabiting the country's forests and coastal areas. The presence of snakes in Brunei is not just limited to a few species, but encompasses a wide range of families and genera, including Elapidae, Viperidae, Colubridae, and Hydrophis. The country has recorded a total of 19 venomous snake species, with 15 from the Elapidae family and four from the Viperidae family. These snakes vary in size, behaviour, and diet, with some being nocturnal and others diurnal, and some being arboreal while others are semi-arboreal. The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital in Brunei's capital is equipped with antivenom sera to treat snakebites, and the country also has other primary health centres that stock antivenom. The diversity of snake species in Brunei highlights the country's rich biodiversity and the importance of conservation efforts.

Brunei is home to 19 venomous snake species, including the Equatorial Spitting Cobra

Brunei is home to a variety of snakes, including 19 venomous species. These snakes belong to two families: Elapidae, which has 15 species, and Viperidae, which has four. One of the most notable venomous snakes in Brunei is the Equatorial Spitting Cobra (Naja sumatrana), also known as the Sumatran Cobra. This species is capable of aggressively defending itself by both biting and spraying its venom, which can cause ophthalmia in humans.

The Elapidae family includes cobras, kraits, coral snakes, and sea snakes. In addition to the Equatorial Spitting Cobra, other Elapidae species found in Brunei are the Banded Krait, Red-Headed Krait, Blue Coral Snake, Malayan Striped Coral Snake, King Cobra, and various types of sea snakes. These snakes are often associated with lowland forests, coastal waters, and estuaries. Some, like the Banded Krait, are nocturnal and active at night.

The Viperidae family includes pit vipers, such as the Sumatran Pit Viper, Sabah Green Pit Viper, Bornean Pit Viper, and Bornean Keeled Green Pit Viper. These snakes inhabit lowland dipterocarp forests, low hills, and plains near water bodies. Their diets consist of small mammals, birds, and frogs.

The presence of these venomous snakes in Brunei poses a potential risk to humans, especially with the ability of some species to spit venom. However, the low population density of the country and concentration of people in urban centres result in a relatively low number of snakebite cases. Antivenom sera are available at hospitals and health centres, including the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital in the capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

To enhance knowledge about the country's snakes and improve healthcare, further research and management of snake envenomation are essential. Public education about snakes and their importance in the ecosystem can also help dispel fear and promote a positive perception of these creatures.

There are two families of venomous snakes in Brunei: Elapidae and Viperidae

Elapidae

Elapidae is comprised of cobras, kraits, coral snakes, and sea snakes. Some of the species in this family include:

• Banded krait, which is arguably the most common krait in Brunei. It is nocturnal, active at night, and associated with swamp forests.
• Red-headed krait, which is known from a single specimen in Brunei, suggesting its rarity. It is also nocturnal and inhabits lowland dipterocarp forests.
• Blue coral snake, which is a strikingly coloured venomous snake. It is nocturnal and associated with lowland forests.
• Malayan striped coral snake, which has a distinct coloration on the ventral surface and a red tail venter. It is a subfossorial feeder of small snakes and is known to cause mild envenomation in human adults.
• Equatorial spitting cobra, which is familiar in Brunei. The Bornean population is blue-black in adults, while juveniles have distinct pale bands. It is a dangerously venomous species, capable of defending itself aggressively by biting and spraying its venom.
• King cobra, which is a large, diurnal, and dangerously venomous snake. It is ophiophagous and its venom is neurotoxic.
• Beaded sea snake, which is found in shallow coastal waters and has a specialised diet of fish eggs.
• Annulated sea snake, which inhabits shallow coastal waters and is often stranded on beaches. Its venom has been shown to cause myonecrosis in lab animals, and hemolysis and respiratory and renal failures have been reported from its bites on humans.

Viperidae

Viperidae, on the other hand, consists of pit vipers. Some of the species in this family include:

• Sumatran pit viper, which is a large and strikingly patterned pit viper. It is arboreal, found in low hills, and feeds on small mammals, birds, and frogs. Its venom is neurotoxic.
• Sabah green pit viper, which is likely to occur in the upper ranges of mountains. It is arboreal and feeds on small mammals. Nothing is known about its venom.
• Bornean pit viper, which is a terrestrial and semi-arboreal pit viper from hill dipterocarp forests. Its venom is believed to be hemotoxic, although no bites have been reported.
• Bornean keeled green pit viper, which is the most common pit viper in Borneo. It is associated with lowland dipterocarp forests and other habitats in the plains, especially near water bodies. It is a sit-and-wait predator of small mammals and birds, and its venom is hemotoxic.

The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital in Bandar Seri Begawan has emergency physicians to treat snakebites and ophthalmia

The Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, commonly abbreviated as RIPAS Hospital, is the main and largest public hospital in Brunei. It is located in the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan, just 0.8 kilometres from the city centre. RIPAS Hospital is the primary referral hospital and teaching hospital for medical and nursing students from the country's only university, Universiti Brunei Darussalam. It is also a research hospital, with published studies on the treatment of venomous snakebites and ophthalmia.

The hospital was officially opened on 28 August 1984 and has 257 doctors. It is situated on a 17-hectare site, close to the bank of the Kedayan River, which provides water transport access to the Kampong Ayer community on the Brunei River. The psychiatry section of the hospital is staffed by four medical officers with Western model training and five experts. The Clinical Psychology Unit, established in October 2002, supports various medical disciplines with a focus on behaviour therapy and cognitive-behavioural treatment.

RIPAS Hospital is well-equipped to handle snakebites and ophthalmia cases, with emergency physicians trained in these areas. This is especially important given the presence of venomous snakes in Brunei. A total of 19 species of venomous snakes have been recorded in the country, belonging to two families: Elapidae (15 species) and Viperidae (four species). These snakes can be found in a variety of habitats, including lowland dipterocarp forests, peat swamps, urban areas, and coastal waters.

The equatorial cobra, Naja sumatrana, is of particular concern as it is a "spitter" capable of spraying its venom, increasing the risk of humans developing venom ophthalmia. This condition can lead to severe ocular injury and potential blindness if left untreated. Other venomous snakes in Brunei include the banded krait, red-headed krait, blue coral snake, Sumatran pit viper, and various species of sea snakes.

RIPAS Hospital stocks antivenom sera for the treatment of snakebites, including monovalent and polyvalent serums. The low number of snakebite cases in Brunei, ranging from none to about 12 annually with no recorded fatalities, is likely due to the country's low population density concentrated in urban centres. The hospital's proximity to the Kedayan River and its role as a referral centre for the Kampong Ayer community is crucial for providing timely access to healthcare for those living in these areas.

The low human population density in Brunei, concentrated in urban centres, may contribute to the low number of snakebite cases

Brunei is home to a variety of snakes, with a total of 26 species recorded in the country. The presence of these snakes poses a potential risk of snakebites to the local population. However, the low number of snakebite cases in Brunei, ranging from none to about 12 annually with no recorded fatalities, may be attributed to the country's low human population density.

Brunei has an estimated population of 415,717 people as of 2013, and its lowland forests have been left relatively intact due to a combination of a small population and a focus on the oil and gas industry. This is in stark contrast to neighboring states, where rapid development has led to significant deforestation. The low population density in Brunei is mainly concentrated in urban centers such as the capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan and other nearby urban areas.

The low population density, particularly in rural and forested areas, reduces the likelihood of human-snake encounters. As a result, the risk of snakebites is lower compared to more densely populated regions. Additionally, the availability of medical facilities, such as the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital (RIPAS Hospital) in Bandar Seri Begawan, which has emergency physicians trained to handle snakebites and ophthalmia cases, further contributes to the effective management of snakebite incidents.

Furthermore, public education and awareness about snakes can play a crucial role in reducing the risk of snakebites. By targeting school children and the general public through various mediums like radio, television, and public talks, it is possible to dispel fear and promote a positive perception of snakes. This can lead to a better understanding of snake behavior and habitats, enabling people to take appropriate precautions when venturing into snake-habitats.

In conclusion, the low human population density in Brunei, concentrated in urban centers, along with effective medical facilities and public awareness, contributes to the low number of snakebite cases in the country.

The forests and biodiversity of Brunei are relatively pristine compared to nearby states

Brunei's biodiversity is a result of its geographical location on the northwest coast of Borneo, where it has two disconnected portions separated by the East Malaysian state of Sarawak. The country's small population, estimated at 415,717 in 2013, and its dependence on the oil and gas industry have contributed to its forests remaining relatively untouched. This is in stark contrast to the situation in neighbouring states such as Sarawak and Sabah, which have experienced extensive forest degradation due to the timber and oil palm industries.

In Brunei, vast tracts of unbroken lowland dipterocarp forests, peatlands, and freshwater swamps exist alongside a rapidly expanding capital city, Bandar Seri Begawan. The pristine nature of the country's forests and the diversity of forest types have led to a remarkable herpetofauna, with snakes featuring prominently in biotic and herpetofaunal inventories. A total of 19 venomous snake species, representing two families (Elapidae and Viperidae), have been recorded in the country. Additionally, several venomous members of the Colubridae family are known from Borneo but have not been included in this count due to a lack of reports of human envenomation.

The low number of snakebite cases in Brunei, ranging from none to about 12 annually with no recorded fatalities, can be attributed to the low population density, which is mostly concentrated in urban centres. The country's national hospital, Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha Hospital, and other primary health centres stock antivenom serum to treat snakebites and ophthalmia caused by venom in the eyes.

Brunei's commitment to preserving its forests and biodiversity is evident through its conservation efforts, including the establishment of forest reserves and the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan. The country aims to reduce its dependence on the oil and gas industry by utilising its biological resources for sustainable economic growth while safeguarding its natural heritage.

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