Korean Job Discussion Forums

diver · Joined: 16 Jun 2003

Just assume that they are all poisonous and that they can kill you. Works for me.

MixtecaMike · Posted: Wed Jun 23, 2004 10:51 am Post subject:

Snakes are fine, most of them will run a mile (slither a mile?) when they see you, but do tell, are there scorpions in Korea? Those little #$&*ers really give me the creeps. Specially about six months ago when my daughter asked me come and look at the cockroach with a big tail on her bedroom wall.

Falstaff · Joined: 14 Jan 2004 Location: Ansan

This is from the US Navy for servicemen in Korea.

Ya-ta Boy · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Established in 1994

The only poisonous snake I've seen in Korea stands about 5'7" tall and wears a cheap light green suit to the office in the summer.

Dr. Buck · Joined: 02 Mar 2003 Location: Land of the Morning Clam

Since this spring, I've come across about thirty snakes, most of them are the same species and are not aggressive. They have a reddish hood that they can flex like a small wannabe cobra when they stand up. They have greenish and brown markings on the body.

The information about the viper species posted about is correct, the only thing needed now is some identification details.

I've come across some snakes that I wasn't familiar with yet approached them anyhow with leather gloves and a poker stick. You just have to look for that triangular-wedge shaped head--those are the vipers.

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

[url]wbkenglish.com[/url] sometimes features photos of Korean snakes on the Seosan link...

I've always been fascinated with snakes, and used to be in the snake club at my school, where we captured and kept a few African species.
Generally its pretty hard to tell which are venomous and which aren't, if you don't know them properly.
Much hysteria and irrational persecution surrounds snakes, but most are harmless and will avoid you at all costs. But be careful out walking on cold mornings, when they often are sluggish and sit bask on paths and roads to warm up. Also, tread carefully around their usual hangouts under rocks or rocky areas in the woods, and try not to brush against overhanging branches where tree snakes live.
The most spectacular snakes are the African ones..also I saw a few Australian snakes, the "dugite" springs to memory as a large and aggressive beast.

hojucandy · Joined: 03 Feb 2003 Location: In a better place

i've had a lifelong admiration for snakes. i tried to catch a small viper that i saw in the bush near suwon a couple of years ago but he was a bit fast for me. have looked for a good book in korean reptiles to no avail. have found books on every other aspect of fauna and flora but no reptiles...... (even found a fascinating text on freshwater algae!)

anyone know of one.... "what the book" - can yu help me here?

565

rapier · Joined: 16 Feb 2003

dogshed · Joined: 28 Apr 2006

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_snakes_in_Korea

I created this. If you know any more about these snakes please post.
-Jeff

Col.Brandon · Joined: 09 Aug 2004 Location: Seoul

Here's a shot of a snake I took when I was hiking near Pohang. It's roadkill, so don't follow the link if you're squeamish.

http://i16.photobucket.com/albums/b30/fltlt_hardball/Avatars/ExoticRoadKill.jpg

Gwangjuboy · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Location: England

I saw a snake near my school last week. (in the countryside) It's the first time I have seen one wild in Korea. It was very similar to the snake in the roadkill shot.

bombenhagen · Joined: 21 Jun 2006 Location: NL

Dirty dirty snakes, global warming means that those crazy things will be all over the world in 50-75 years. Tell me, any crazy spiders in Korea?