Duhol Matapang In Taal Lake Is Going Extinct
DUHOL MATAPANG – Water snake Duhol Matapang seen only in Taal Lake are becoming extinct.
There are 3,400 species of snakes in the world and 600 of them are venomous. They are can be found in forest, seas or even in our homes.
The deadliest snakes in the world include Black Mamba, Tiger Snake, King Cobra, Inland Taipan, and the Faint-banded sea snake.
Meanwhile, in the Philippines, a venomous sea snake Hydrophis Semperi or commonly known as ‘Lake Taal snake’ or ‘Duhol Matapang’ can only be found in Taal Lake in Batangas province.
The Lake Taal snake has a black or blue body with alternating yellow circling its body.
Based on a report from Inquirer, the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) said Duhol Matapang may find itself crawling the path of extinction if the people continue slaying these sea snakes each time they cross one.
The organization categorized the Taal snake as “vulnerable and placed it on the Red List of Threatened Species.
According to the report, the sightings of the Taal snake have become rare unless they were caught on the fisherman’s nets.
A group of herpetologist from Saipan and Guam only found one Duhol Matapang during their visit and diving expedition last December.
However, they found 10 “Duhol Basahan” which is almost looked like the Duhol Matapang. The Duhol Basahan can also be found in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Based on the report, the project leader of the Pusod Taal Lake Conservation Center, Jord Earving Gadigan, said a fisherman who was drunk died after he got bitten by the Taal snake.
He said it was the latest attack by the Lake Taal snake and the story fueled the public to be scared of the snake.
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