Python Cave

Python Cave Guimit Island is legendary for it's Philippine pythons and a strategic cave that the Japanese used as a hideout in WW2. A local cave expert Joni Bonifacio invited me along for the day to do a little research. We left from the waterfront in a small fishing boat and had a fairly successful day checking out the pythons and one very large Philippine cobra. Samar is rich with unspoiled wilderness, caves, waterfalls and critters. Catbalogan is a good base to explore the many small outlying islands. Zumarraga and Daram are the largest two but there are many many small islands scattered around out there that are quite interesting. Most of them are inhabited by fishermen and coconut farmers. This fisherman ran us out there. Note his protective wear. If you are going to be out on the water for any length of time be sure to cover up. Our first stop was on Basiao Island where we checked out a tidal cave. It was not that interesting but there was a red and black striped snake lounging on a rock in the sun. It didn't seem to be bothered with us and we left it alone. A typical fishing boat from the area. The cost of fuel is really putting a hurt on these guys. The entrance to the cave on Guimit is hidden from view but these fishermen know where it is. There are many openings to this cave which might have been one reason it was utilized in WW2. We found three nice pythons but they were skittish leading me to thing that they get a lot of hunting pressure. This one struck 4 times and was very aggressive even though we did not molest or harass him. I am thinking that some of the giant ones were killed for their leather. This cave is just to easy to get too and rather difficult to protect. I find these pythons to be a very beautiful reptile and most of the ones I have come across in remote areas have been docile. Here we found three and one sleek black Philippine cobra. This was such a beauty. He was not particularly aggressive, he just took a defensive posture. We don't have to dominate the snake like the guys on tv do. Just a few photos are taken. This guy could really ruin your day. We have no anti-venom. update - I have been told that this snake is actually a common black snake but am not taking any chances at this time. This cave is loaded with bats. This fellow came crashing down for some reason. Kind of a cute little guy. Specimen collecting. Yes, they bite! Cave spider. Another look at that black snake (cobra?). A common bird found near the entrances to these caves. This bug can be found in a lot of these local caves. This wasp appears to sting tarantulas leaving them paralyzed so they can be stored for consumption later. He just got done with this one and appeared to be getting ready to drag it down it's burrow. Here is some graffiti near the entrance to the cave. We passed this place on the way back home. Another great day in the Philippines! Back in Catbalogan. Storing the boats. The local kids. 2008   www.dutchpickle.com

 

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