SINGAPORE, Aug 5 — A rare sighting of the venomous and poisonous blue-necked keelback snake at MacRitchie Reservoir has drawn attention among nature lovers, with the public advised to keep a safe distance, The Straits Times reported.
The report said the reptile, scientifically known as Rhabdophis rhodomelas, was spotted on Aug 1 at MacRitchie Nature Trail and photographed with what appeared to be two legs of an animal protruding from its mouth.
The sighting was shared on the Singapore Wildlife Sightings Facebook group, attracting comments from more than 120 users, with some speculating that the snake had eaten a frog.
The National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed the sighting and said the blue-necked keelback snake is both poisonous and venomous.
According to the report, NParks wildlife management group director How Choon Beng said the species can be found in mature secondary, primary and swamp forests of the Central Nature Reserves and surrounding nature parks.
Dr Alex Figueroa from the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature Secretariat at the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum, NUS, said the species is usually found near forest streams and mainly feeds on frogs.
He advised the public not to handle the snake and to leave it alone, especially while it is feeding.
