A RECENT report portraying sea snakes in Taal Lake as a deadly threat to divers has been debunked by experts, who pointed out that pollution—not snakes—is the real danger in the lake.
They warned that such misreporting fuels fear of the highly venomous yet non-aggressive duhol matapang (Hydrophis semperi) and diverts public attention from the lake’s worsening water quality, habitat loss, and unsustainable fishing practices.
In an Aug. 27 report, the Manila Bulletin described the duhol matapang as the “biggest threat” to Philippine Coast Guard divers searching for the bodies of missing cockfighters in Taal Lake, citing the absence of anti-venom for its bite.
The description, however, has drawn criticism from scientists who said the claim was misleading and unfairly represents the already vulnerable species.
UST College of Science Dean Rey Donne Papa said that while the duhol matapang is highly venomous, its behavior and biology show it is unlikely to pose serious danger to divers.
“Para kasing ang pinapalabas nila, ‘yung Lake Taal Sea Snake ay napaka-violent,” Papa said. “The Lake Taal Sea Snake is highly venomous, but then, its biology, its morphology, its preferred diet, and even its population in Lake Taal all point to the fact na hindi sila ‘yung biggest concern,” he added.
Papa explained that the snakes feed mainly on eels and goby fish, and their small mouths limit their ability to bite humans. Encounters are rare, and most recorded bites occurred only when snakes became entangled in fishing nets.
The species typically stays in littoral or nearshore areas, while search operations are conducted in open waters. Even in the unlikely case of an encounter, Papa said divers’ protective gear would keep them safe.
“They don’t attack humans in Lake Taal. There are instances of recorded bites from the snake among fishermen, but these are from the incidental bycatches,” Papa said.
First described in 1881, the duhol matapang is endemic to Taal Lake and was listed as “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2009.
Herpetologist and UST alumnus Vhon Oliver Garcia, who studied the duhol matapang for his graduate research, said the snake plays an important role in balancing the lake’s ecosystem.
“Given their position at the higher end of the food chain, they help balance the lake ecosystem,” Garcia said. “But they are very difficult to find, which shows how low their population already is.”
Despite being venomous, the snakes are more victims than threats, often killed after being caught in fishing nets or out of fear by locals, Garcia said. Its long-term survival is threatened by habitat degradation and human exploitation of the lake, he said.
Two aquatic snakes inhabit Taal Lake: Hydrophis semperi, the endemic and venomous sea snake known locally as duhol matapang, and Acrochordus granulatus, the non-venomous file snake (duhol basahan), which the public can mistake for H. semperi.
Both Papa and Garcia stressed that the true danger in Taal Lake lies not in its elusive sea snake but in its deteriorating water quality.
Studies have shown arsenic, chromium, and nitrogen levels in the lake exceeding Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) standards. Heavy metals, oil, and grease have also been found, pointing to severe pollution from nearby communities and industries.
“These conditions, not the snake, are what threaten both divers and the lake’s biodiversity,” Papa said, adding that media reports should have highlighted Taal’s worsening water quality instead of vilifying a rare species.
Garcia warned that sensationalized reporting can further damage the public perception of snakes.
“Snakes already have like a negative representation or a negative reputation to the general public. Misleading headlines can only worsen that negative impression of the public towards snakes,” Garcia said.
Papa underscored the responsibility of journalists to consult experts and report science accurately.
“It is the responsibility of journalists to work closely with those who really do the science correctly, as well as those who know how to communicate science effectively,” he said. With reports from Frenchshield Shayne G. Delovieres
