Dispelling Serpent Stereotypes in the Year of the Snake
2025 is the Year of the Snake in the Chinese zodiac. TaiwanPlus went out to spend some time with the cold-blooded critters to explore their world and gain a deeper understanding of the often misunderstood serpent.
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Snakes in Culture: Understanding the Misunderstood Reptile in the Year of the Snake
As the Year of the Snake begins, these cold-blooded creatures are finding themselves in the spotlight in Taiwan, where cultural traditions and personal experiences highlight their dual roles as feared predators and cherished companions.
To explore this dynamic, TaiwanPlus reporters Sandy Chi and Philip Brossard visited Taitung, where Professor Tu Ming-chang, a retired biology professor and reptile expert, shared insights into Taiwan’s relationship with snakes.
“[Snakes] are either detested and killed or they are revered,” Tu explained. “If I’m scared of you but can’t keep you at bay, then I’ll revere you so that you don’t harm me. But if I can draw a clear line, then I’ll kill you.”
This sentiment reflects Taiwan’s cultural history. Rice farmers, for instance, view some snake species as the offspring of guardian spirits, while the Paiwan Indigenous people see the venomous hundred-pace snake as an ancestor.
Yet fear of snakes is largely learned, Tu said, citing studies showing that both baby humans and monkeys are not inherently afraid of them. Tu says if a baby monkey sees a snake image alongside its mother’s scared expression, it learns to fear snakes.
Beyond tradition and fear, snakes have practical benefits. Some species, like corn snakes, are popular pets. “[Corn snakes] are harmless, calm and won’t bolt away,” Tu explained. This docility has made them a common choice for those seeking unconventional pets.
