Thirty four years ago I reviewed a book on the reptiles and amphibians of Hong Kong. Because of the efforts of three individuals, inspired by the pioneering work that John Romer did in his spare time in the decades after World War II, more species had been discovered in Hong Kong and more information was accruing on their distribution and life histories. That book, published in 1986, and the second edition of 1998, which again incorporated another phase of new knowledge, have been the standard popular works on the topic. A number of snake species hitherto undiscovered in Hong Kong were found by the simple expedient of searching the deep concrete water catchments after heavy rain for those individuals which had fallen or had been washed in. Since then a newer generation has been observing and photographing snakes in the wild, particularly by exploring after dark with powerful torches the paths and rocky streams.
The results of looking for snakes, chelonians and amphibians after dark have appeared regularly on the YouTube channel SnakeID TV, a must watch for anybody interested in Hong Kong wildlife, and its associated website, hongkongsnakeID.com. The new book, sent to me by AP from Hong Kong, A Field Guide to the Snakes of Hong Kong, is the third result of the triad. It was both written and published by Adam Francis with the help during production of Robert Ferguson.
As we have watched the various episodes on SnakeID TV we have wondered if snakes and chelonians are now more common than they were in the 1960s or if more people are active in looking for snakes. My guess is both. Despite the devastation of the New Territories by the construction of new towns in the late 20th century there have been major beneficial changes: the remarkable recovery of habitat after the removal of trees and shrubs for firewood during the Japanese occupation together with a decrease in the numbers collected for food. Hunters—if that’s the right term for snake and terrapin catchers—scoured all the wild areas to stock the snake shops and ‘wet’ markets.
As with most books printed in Hong Kong this new field guide is beautifully produced. It is a true pocket book size with a true pocket book cover. It is lavishly illustrated and packed with information on 43 species (the sea snakes are not included), as well as general notes on snakes and other sources of information. It is a true field guide because it draws attention to the salient features of identification and how to distinguish between the different species from ones of a similar appearance. Each description is headed with the practical classification of ‘Venomous-Dangerous’ (9 species), ‘Venomous-Not Dangerous’ and ‘Non-Venomous’.
The only species omitted from an overall checklist of Hong Kong snakes are those, four in all, which have only been recorded a few times of which one or two may not be native.
The extent of the information and photographs showing variation are evident from the following two scans of pages showing the Golden Kukri Snake, Oligodon cinereus, an uncommon snake we saw in 1968 just off Route Twisk on the shoulder of the mountain, Tai Mo Shan.
The reader will find that the scientific names of a number of the species have changed both from the earlier book and the checklists shown by the Agriculture Fisheries and Conservation Department and the School of Biological Sciences of the University of Hong Kong. An additional page showing the various synonyms would have been useful and would not have detracted from the book’s popular appeal.
The book does not seem to be available on Amazon. Various sellers of books on reptiles have had copies available via Facebook. Orders can be sent to Hong Kong at the website. My copy was bought in Hong Kong and with airmail suspended had to come by surface mail to UK. I suspect the blockage of the Suez Canal was responsible for its arrival after around 9 weeks. Felt like the 1960s again.
In short: highly recommended! The author and those who helped him should be commended.
Francis A, 2021. A Field Guide to the Snakes of Hong Kong. Hong Kong: Adam Francis with Robert Ferguson. ISBN 978-988-74586-2-3. 196 pages.
See also:
Karsen SJ, Lau M W-N, Bogadek A. 1998. Hong Kong Amphibians and Reptiles. Second Edition. Hong Kong: Provisional Urban Council. ISBN 962-7849-05-7
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