Venomous black spitting cobra spotted in Serangoon Gardens; NParks monitoring area实龙岗花园发现毒黑眼镜蛇；国家公园局正在监测该区域
Following sightings of a highly venomous black spitting cobra near Mei Hwa Drive in the Serangoon Gardens area, the National Parks Board (NParks) said it is monitoring the area.NParks group director of wildlife management How Choon Beng said in response to media queries that the agency was alerted to sightings of the black spitting cobra, known scientifically as Naja sumatrana.He...
Following sightings of a highly venomous black spitting cobra near Mei Hwa Drive in the Serangoon Gardens area, the National Parks Board (NParks) said it is monitoring the area.
NParks group director of wildlife management How Choon Beng said in response to media queries that the agency was alerted to sightings of the black spitting cobra, known scientifically as Naja sumatrana .
He added that NParks' contractors were immediately activated to survey the area and locate the snake after each reported sighting.
However, the reptile was not found during these surveys.
“NParks will continue to monitor the area and relocate any cobras sighted,” he added.
On its website, NParks said that the snake is typically found in forests, parks and gardens. It may also be found in terrestrial and urban areas.
The black spitting cobra is known to feed on small animals such as rats and toads.
When provoked, the snake is known to flatten its neck and hiss loudly as a warning to its perceived threat.
If this warning display fails, it may eject fine sprays of venom — known to cover over one metre and can cause discomfort and even temporary blindness — from its fangs towards the eyes of its provoker.
However, the NParks group director also pointed out that black spitting cobras are generally shy and prefer to avoid humans.
He warned members of the public not to approach or attempt to handle the snake.
Instead, those who encounter the reptile should observe from a safe distance, stay calm, and back away slowly, giving it space to retreat.
How added that pet owners should keep their pets on a tight leash during such encounters.
Members of the public who require assistance may call the Animal Response Centre's 24-hour helpline at 1800-476-1600.
继有人在实龙岗花园附近的梅花道附近发现一条剧毒的黑色喷毒眼镜蛇后，国家公园局（NParks）表示正在对该地区进行监测。
国家公园局野生动物管理组主任何春明在回应媒体询问时表示，该机构已接到关于发现黑喷毒眼镜蛇（学名：Naja sumatrana）的警报。
他还补充说，每次接到目击报告后，国家公园局的承包商都会立即启动调查，对该地区进行勘察并找到这条蛇。
然而，在这些调查中并没有发现这种爬行动物。
“国家公园局将继续监测该地区，并将发现的任何眼镜蛇转移，”他补充道。
国家公园局在其网站上表示，这种蛇通常栖息于森林、公园和花园中，但也可能出现在陆地和城市地区。
黑喷毒眼镜蛇以老鼠和蟾蜍等小型动物为食。
当受到挑衅时，蛇会压扁脖子并发出响亮的嘶嘶声，以此警告它所感受到的威胁。
如果这种警告信号失效，它可能会从毒牙喷射出细小的毒液——已知毒液喷射范围超过一米，并可能引起不适甚至暂时失明——射向挑衅者的眼睛。
然而，国家公园局组长也指出，黑喷毒眼镜蛇通常比较害羞，更喜欢避开人类。
他警告公众不要靠近或试图触摸这条蛇。
相反，遇到这种爬行动物的人应该在安全距离外观察，保持冷静，慢慢后退，给它留出撤退的空间。
他还补充说，宠物主人在遇到这种情况时应该用牵引绳紧紧拴住宠物。
需要帮助的公众可以拨打动物救援中心的 24 小时热线 1800-476-1600。