Dangerous Snakes of Okinawa - The Princess Habu
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- Опубликовано: 13 сен 2024
- It’s a day that had long been coming. As winter recedes here in Okinawa I’ve been out looking for encounters with some of Japan’s most venomous snakes, the Habu or Pit Viper. We have three species, one of which is invasive. The two most prevalent are the Himei or Princess Habu and the more potent Okinawa Habu.
On a recent walk into the depths of the Yambaru Forests of the Northern confines of Okinawa I bumped into numerous Himei Habu, of all sizes. Incredible critters, this is how the day went.
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Wow! What a mind-blowing reminisce for me! I lived in Okinawa in 1967-68. We called it "Habu Valley" and as a 9 yr old I used to play all over there. God has special Angels at work to protect kids. We used to hang out in the trees to get some yummy Guava fruit and poke the baby snakes with sticks and play with them. Makes me cringe now. Thanks for the memories.
I love your prioritising of photography instead of intervention.
Always the best way. Nature has got to be left alone, documented but not intervened with. Cheers.
Unreal! From a fellow Brit (Rochdale) I was in Okinawa in March. Stayed in a hostel on Kokusai dori in Naha. I even had the opportunity to drink some habushu (got me rocking) and some Orion beer. I'm hoping to visit Okinawa again some day.
Loved the year I was stationed there. (93-94) Didn't see everything but did scuba most of the island. Would love to go back.
Henoko 90-91..
78-79 then 80-81. Learned how to dive there. Spent most of my time there mid island and south. It's better than Hawaii.
Wasnt in the service but had the pleasure of living in Japan from 1995 to 2001. Planning to go back in a few years. Beautiful country all around, culture, food and above al the people.
82-83 Didn't scuba but did snorkel a lot. I don't remember the name of the place we primarily snorkeled but I do remember concrete steps going down into the water with no other structure right there, just the steps. If I recall correctly there were a few structures up the hill a bit where we would set up camp. I'd jump at the chance to go back for sure.
Lived here for 8 year's on kadena and I loved it!
I've literally been where he has been when I was in Okinawa I loved the trails and flowing rivers
Beautiful video. Would love to see habu in their natural habitat
Thank you for this wonderful video and for honoring our fellow Earth travelers. 🐍 I am a former herpetologist - quite familiar with venomous species - but have never encountered this one! Thank you for the personal experience! Snakes are so misunderstood which can lead to fear and hate. But I just adore them. - all of whom have taught me that each one is an individual, and all are incredible species who are deserving of living their life in peace. We are moving to Okinawa in a few months so we really appreciate your insight and spectacular views! 📸
That's awesome, and really mirrors my sentiments all all life forms with which we share our joint home, Earth. Drop a shout when you get to Okinawa, lots of nature to see here.
Amazing! Just subscribed
I was on Okinawa Aug 74-Sep75 with the USMC. I never saw a Habu in the bush when we were training. Made no difference, I WAS SCARED TO DEATH of them. Im a new subscriber too.
Was at zukeran. A bit after your time. 77-79. Saw plenty of habu. Bats used to get to them. At night.
I was in the Army stationed at Machinato (Camp Kinser) from 73-76.
@John Egli Okinawa was definitely a different World compared to the States.
@PhillipZX3 we were there at the same time. The Marines were only stationed there 13 months. I knew actually where Machinato was located. I'd love to visit Okinawa again but at 67 yrs old, don't know if I'd survive the flight. Maybe if I flew in one of those jets that had the "Bedrooms"
Great video!!I just moved to Okinawa and was very curious about these snakes
Hey cheers, and welcome. The season is almost upon us again when these snakes will be emerging in great numbers. Will be starting uploads again as the year, and the nature starts to come to life.
@@seawildearth very cool!! i love your videos!! i live in Uruma actually as a new teacher :) i'd love to join you for a trip if you'd have me. i would never go alone, way too inexperienced and scared 😂 i really want to learn more about nature while i am here. surprised how cold it is now in Okinawa but hopefully it warms up soon!!
@@DrJustininJapan sounds good. I do trips into the jungle here when the critters start to get active. I have a Facebook Page with the same name where I announce tours etc. I'm based in the Toguchi Beach area of Yomitan.
@@seawildearth awesome!! i will add you. i used to live near the lighthouse so i know the area you live in well 👍
What a beautiful creature and very well presented. I have been in Oki more than a year but never encountered such beauty. If you are planning any trips to such locations and need a companion please let me know. 🙂
Excellent video. Please be careful! ✌️
So the Northern Training Area is no more. I saw some mighty pretty scenery there while training in 1974. Was warned about Habu, golden or black ones. Never did see one. Thanks for the video.
Hey John, the training still goes on but the region has shrunk with just some of the areas returned to what is now the Yambaru National Park. Not as many Golden Habu around in the North, I tend to see them more in the South. Most prominent in the North is the Himei Habu as encountered in this video.
I miss Okinawa so much. Thank you for this beautiful video.
Stationed at Camp Hansen in 1973.
What a beautiful snake and location. Are Habu's a rare snake?.
Not a rare snake but can be hard to find in many locations, they really try to steer clear of human contact.
I had an encounter with a baby Habu in Oki one day on a run early in the morning.. I saw something in the path and hoped over it and the baby struck at my shoe and snagged a fang on my shoe. The little guy went for a ride for a little while but Ill never forget that moment I jumped higher than freakin Michael Jordan!
Oops, that's mad. I stepped on one once during a night walk. Good job I had my boots on. It struck me on the shin but got met with a mouthful of reinforced rubber!
Great video!!! And awesome pictures!!! I have to go and check that part of the Island
Beautiful and verdant scenery; I only wish the available resolution could do your filming justice. The snakes were gorgeous, and thank you for taking such care not to disturb them.
I might mention that head shape is only partially indicative of venomous snakes. Members of the viper family are generally distinguished by wide, tapering heads, but some colubrids, either non-venomous or mildly venomous, also have similar head shapes. Highly venomous elapids however, especially kraits and coral snakes (the latter may also be found in Okinawa, if I'm not mistaken) can have bullet-shaped and neckless heads. These behaviorally pose less of a threat to humans than pit vipers, in spite of their more potent venom.
I was in Naha, Tsubogawa 73-74. I remember eating the habu powder at a habu mongoose fight. Yuck! They sold tea so you could wash the taste away. Haha
Quality time Mike. 77-79 zukeran. Next to camp foster. Part of camp butler. Supply. By MOS
Great video, Mark. Perhaps I should get some snake boots!
I was stationed at Kadena in 1965. I was quartered in a Quonset Hut on the north side of the base. I called it a Habu Hut. Always walked looking at the ground.
Cool snake photo!
Cheers Jay, more adventures planned.
I don’t know if it is different in Japan than in the US, but a diamond shape head does not guarantee a venoms snake in the US. A banded water snake, which is non venomous is a great example of a snake with a diamond shape head that is non venomous. Thank you for sharing your little adventure and the beautiful vipers you encountered along the way. :)
It's a general rule of thumb out here seeing as we have no diamond shaped heads in non-venomous snake species. Maybe you have a snake that you call a banded sea snake that is non venomous but we have what I have always called the banded sea snake here, the same one as in Indonesia where I have also lived and travelled extensively, and they are one of the most venomous snake species known to man. murexdive.com/banded-sea-kraits-north-sulawesi/
That an exception, not a rule. Most venomous snakes in the US, with the exception of the coral snake, have a triangular shaped head.
The banded water snake only transforms his head into a diamond shape when threatened.
@@seawildearth there talking about fresh water banded snakes. Not sea snake. Here in the US we have multiple species of water snakes. They live around rivers,lakes an ponds . We have 1 venomous water snake the cotton mouth.
cute chunky snake
You have awesome film skills!
Hey thanks..
The only Habu I saw (close up) while there (1973-76) were at the little carnival by Kadena (Habu and Mongoose fights), and the ones that flew in an out of Kadena (SR-71). I went out of my way to avoid them in the wild.
They should be out in numbers within a few weeks I think. Will soon start hitting the jungles to try and synch myself with the current pace of things. Spring just around the corner.
I was stationed on Okinawa 1976 - 77 with Comm Co. H&S Battalion, 3rd FSSG at Camp Foster; we traveled to the NTA and saw lots of Habu. That was also what we called the SR71's that took off from Kadena AB: "Habu."
Ha. Were musta crossed paths. 77-79! Zukeran. Next to Foster. Driver for a supply officer.
And. Yes. SR-71s. Blackbird. We called habu.
How bad is a bite from one of these guys?
Unless you have a pre-existing condition, a weak heart or are seriously immunocompromised then it won't kill you. It will leave you feeling pretty cruddy for a few weeks no doubt but if you're in relatively OK shape you should get through it. Maybe I like walking on the edge as I suffer from an AutoImmune condition that requires me to diminish the efficiency of my immune system via daily steroid medication. Knowing the behavior and body language of these and similar species is a must for safe interactions.
Cool!
Was stationed at Naha Air Base from 70-72.
My grandmother got bit by a habu once, was always warned not to go into tall grass.
Lessons learned. Luckily and fingers crossed I've yet to get bitten. I have been warned by the snakes a few times, lunges etc.
You know I'm really afraid of them I'm going to okinawa in 5 days and I want to avoid any dangerous creature
Our people call this snake as Ngarba. 2 people were killed by this species recently. Highly venomous Be careful with it .
Thanks. Where are you from?
@@seawildearth iam from Arunachal Pradesh, India🇮🇳
awesome find...can i go with you?
I think it was a mating thing. They are not in that area anymore. I tend to work better when alone. I get into situations in the jungle that a lot of people would not be happy with.
JWT 2014 so damn hot so damn humid funny fact the anti venom on the Island ruined so there was none smh 2/6 Golf CO USMC 0311 RAHHH!!!
Lol. Semper fi. Was on the rock 77-79. My personal 2 year tour. Supply driver. The huge standing fans. Were a highly sought out item. Did say I was supply. 😬