讀後心得

As spring temperatures rise, snake activity increases. The New Taipei City Animal Protection Office reminds the public to stay alert, especially in community flower beds and areas with rich vegetation. Recently, a golden tree snake was captured in the Xindian District. The city government recommends following the "three don'ts at home" and "five musts when going out" to prevent snakebite incidents. Last year, New Taipei City handled a total of 3,264 snake capture cases, with Xindian, Tamsui, and Xizhi being the top three areas for reported cases. When engaging in outdoor activities, the public should wear appropriate clothing and maintain a distance, responding calmly if encountering a snake. If a snake enters a home, professional assistance should be contacted for handling.

With the spring temperatures gradually warming up, snake activity has become more frequent. Community flower beds and areas with vegetation are common places for snakes. The Animal Protection Division of New Taipei City Government recently received reports and captured a golden tree snake in the community flower bed of Meilih Community in Xindian District. The Animal Protection Division urges the public to remain vigilant and follow the easy-to-remember guidelines of "Three Nos for Home" and "Five Musts for Going Out" to ensure self-protection and reduce the risk of snake bites, ensuring safety.

According to the statistics from the Animal Protection Division, New Taipei City handled a total of 3,264 snake-catching incidents last year, with the highest number of cases in Xindian District reaching 408 cases. Other areas with significant reports include Tamsui District with 306 cases and Xizhi District with 294 cases. The most common snake species include the golden tree snake (763 cases), the red-striped snake (255 cases), and the large-headed snake (241 cases). To reduce the chances of unexpected encounters with snakes, the Animal Protection Division recommends that the public comply with the "Three Nos and Five Musts" for snake prevention to ensure safe outings.

• Three Nos for Home:
  • No overgrown weeds
  • No clutter piled up
  • No cracks or holes
• Five Musts for Going Out:
  • Wear long sleeves, long pants, and closed shoes to minimize skin exposure
  • Carry a long stick to "scare the snakes away" in advance
  • Keep your distance; remain calm and walk around if you encounter a snake
  • Avoid the evening and early morning when snakes are most active
  • Note the characteristics of the snake for reference by the doctor, facilitating the administration of the correct antivenom

The Animal Protection Division stated that spring is the peak season for snake activity, and snakes can often be seen near community parks, trails, riverbanks, and residential areas in the suburbs, so the public should be particularly attentive while engaging in outdoor activities. The animal protection staff emphasizes that many people mistakenly believe they can determine whether a snake is venomous by its head shape, which is not entirely accurate. For example, although the heads of the red-banded snake and the golden tree snake are triangular, some venomous snakes such as cobras and umbrella snakes have oval-shaped heads. Therefore, regardless of the head shape of the snake, people should maintain a safe distance and avoid contact.

If a snake enters your home, please do not panic; you can contact the Animal Protection Division for help. Snake-catching requires professional training, and the public should not attempt to catch or drive away snakes themselves to avoid danger. When reporting animal rescues or snake-catching incidents, please maintain a safe distance while animal protection personnel are on duty, allowing professionals to assist in handling the situation to ensure the safety of both people and snakes.