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 pythons 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 pythons 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 or rat 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?). I tend to be wary of all snakes – not a phobia but one of our neighbor kids got bit on the foot an died a few hours later after his foot turned black.
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 that looks like Japanese writing 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.
Philippine Python - Guimt Cave
Climbing Mount Apo
General Santos
Growing Orchids
Judy's Resto Bar
Logging with Motorcycles
Mount Mayon
Balabac Island
Biri Island
Calbiga Cave
Capul Island
Mangrove Swamp Palawan
Mikes's Resort
I enjoyed looking at this, so nice to see a place in the Philippines where wildlife still remains. My wife is from Negros and it has been totally cleared for sugar cane, sad really
Hi Goff,
Thanks for your interest! Samar is probably one of the least developed islands in the Philippines.
dp
i really enjoyed looking at your site.
im too exciting bout snakes. actually i bought a Philippine python to my friend and i enjoyed of looking and sometimes playing with it. ok thats all. thank u. take care gud luck…
Just for general information – it is wise not to mess around with animals you are not familiar with.
Bats can carry rabies and that disease has not been eradicated in this country. My girls cousin died from rabies in Manila after being bitten by a rabid dog.
I once was in the process of moving a bat that had been driven to the ground by a gust of wind and it made a serious attempt to bite me. There is no cure for rabies.
About snakes – A guy that spends a lot of time researching snakes in Indonesia emailed me that the snakes in these photos are in fact rat snakes, but don’t take chances with snakes, even if they are harmless.
A neighbor kid died last week after being bitten on the foot by a snake. He was carrying a bag of cassava home and cried out to his father that he had been bitten.
Then he continued on home carrying that bag on his head, just pumping that poison through his 13 year old body. When he got home he tried desperately to pry his eyes open with his fingers and then slowly slipped away and died. His foot turned black and the family buried him last Sunday – sad story but true.
Snakes are beautiful animals but best left alone. Pythons are of course non-poisonous
Hi,
I’ve just got back from the Philippines where I visited Bohol and Cebu. The Phlippines is a great place as it is still – in general – unspoilt.
As for pythons, yes they are non-venemous, but can still be dangerous as they have so much bacteria in their mouth. Stay away as they could strangle and even eat you, which must be a horiible death! Arrgh!