Category Archives: Philippines

The Pisonia Tree Lures and Murders Birds for No Apparent Good Reason

Just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Someone should tell that to the Pisonia tree, a ruthless plant that kills birds just for the heck of it. You may be asking, “Why?” Well, the tree should respond, “Why not?”

Oh Murder Tree, Oh Murder Tree!

If you didn’t think a plant — a tree, no less — could be a jerk, think again. Found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans, the Pisonia tree fits the bill as one of the most unnecessarily cruel plants in the planet. While it’s not uncommon for plants to have built-in defense mechanisms, those things are usually there to keep the plant safe from preditors. But scientists have yet to uncover any benefit the Pisonia tree could possibly receive for luring birds in only just to murder them.

Here’s what happens at the crime scene: the Pisonia tree produces sticky seedpods that trap insects, luring in hungry birds with the promise of an easy lunch. These seedpods are so sticky that they’ll latch onto any bird that flies into them, either trapping it in the tree’s branches or weighing the bird down stosuch a extent that it’s completely unable to fly. As a result, you’ll see a blanket of bird carcasses littering the roots of the Pisonia tree. There are sometimes even mummified bird corpses up in the branches that look like, as Washington Post describes them, “macabre Christmas tree ornaments.”

Ecologist Alan Burger at the University of Victoria first heard of the Pisonia in the 1990s and went to the archipelago of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean to work out why these slaughterous trees seemed to kill just for the hell of it. Until then, no one had looked too hard into the Pisonia tree, but there were two main theories as to why they were bird-tormentors: either the tree’s roots got a nutrient bump from the dead birds, or the seeds attached to the dead birds because they required the corpse as fertilizer in order to grow. After 10 months of research with the Pisonia seeds, Burger published his findings in 2005.

The conclusion? Pisonia trees are just out & out ruthless. “The results from my experiments showed quite convincingly that the Pisonia derived no obvious benefit from fatally entangling birds,” writes Burger. But not only did dead birds not benefit the tree in any way, but the droppings of living birds would also help the trees survive by enriching the soil. It turns out, then, that killing birds isn’t necessarily the goal. Birds flying away from the tree with sticky seeds attached helps keep the tree species alive by spreading the seeds far and wide. It’s just one of those evolutionary whoopsies that the seeds sprout in clusters — heavy, self-sabotaging, bird-murdering clusters.

Curious for more of nature’s killers? Check out “Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities.” The audiobook is free with a trial of Audible.

Henry Sapiecha





1…Caspian Cobra


2…Monocled Cobra


3…Jameson’s Green Mamba


4 …Rhinoceros Viper


5…Chinese Cobra


5…Coastal Taipan


6…Red-Bellied Black Snake


7…Mali Cobra


8…Sea Snake


9…Egyptian Cobra


10…King Brown Snake




12…Gaboon Viper


13…Black-Necked Spitting Cobra


14…Sharp-Nosed Pit Viper


15…Cape Cobra


16…South American Bushmaster




18…Forest Cobra


19…Western Green Mamba


20…Eastern Green Mamba


21…Common Death Adder


22…Malayan Krait


23…Many-Banded Krait


24…Terciopelo Viper


25…Common Krait


26…Russell’s Viper


27…Indian Cobra


28…African Puff Adder


29…Philippine Cobra


30…Western Diamondback Rattlesnake


31…Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake


32…Common Lacehead


33…Eastern Brown Snake


34…Inland Taipan


35…Tiger Snake




39…Black Mamba


40…Saw-Scaled Viper


41…King Cobra


Henry Sapiecha



In the Philippines: You can even get a massage from a bunch of massive python snakes

yellow-python-moves-on-mans-neck-gif video image

At Cebu City Zoo in the Philippines, they’re trying to make the zoo more “interactive” — you can now get a massage from four 20ft Burmese pythons. The massage consists of simply putting the pythons — totally 250 kilograms (550 pounds) — on top of you and letting them sliver all over your body.

In case you were wondering, yes, a Burmese python is totally capable of killing you through constriction, and can deliver a pretty mean bite as well. But the zoo feeds each of the pythons “ten or more chickens” prior to each massage in order “to curb any hunger pangs.”

I should note that, according to Wikipedia, “Burmese pythons are opportunistic feeders…they will eat almost any time food is offered.” On the plus side, the massage is free.


Henry Sapiecha

Dozens of Very scary & interesting Snakes we should know about

There are snakes & snakes-Some are extremely dangerous with deadly venom or with their size & strength with killing ability.Look & learn. Enjoy your journey into the world of snakes

1. Black Mamba

black-mamba image

Black Mamba actually got its name because of the color of its mouth. This type of snake has been considered as highly dangerous and horrifyingly venomous. This snake is very aggressive and one bite from it can kill a person in just twenty minutes. They are usually found in different parts of Africa. Black Mamba’s are also regarded as the longest type of snake that can be found in Africa.


2. Rattle Snake

Rattlesnake image

Rattle Snakes are usually found in North America. It got its name from the appearance of its tail along with the sound that it makes. When it senses danger, its tail creates a rattling noise. Well, that’s one signal to stay away from the area as well! They usually live in groups. Rodents and birds are their common meals.


3. Death Adder Death-Adder-snake image

The Death Adder is one highly venomous snake. Usually found in Australia, they are actually not active hunters. If they hunt, they have a unique way of doing it. They usually hide under leaves, sand, or soil before ambushing their prey. A Death Adder’s tail looks similar to worm and this attracts rodents.


4. Viper

Boomslang-VIPER image

Vipers have visibly hollow fangs and a mouth that can stretch up to a very huge size. They are intelligent snakes and they can actually control the venom that they want to secrete. A viper’s venomous bite can paralyze a human instantly. Their bite is so painful and usually fatal.


5. Boa Constrictor

Boa-Constrictor-snake image

Good news, boa constrictors are very love animals. In fact, they love to hug! Bad news, they’ll hug you to death! Worse, they can feel your heart beat and they won’t let go until there’s none.


6. Langaha Madagascariensis Langaha-Madagascariensis-snake image

Looks pretty strange and creepy, right? This bizarre-looking snake species are among the most venomous animals and brilliantly uses their pointy nasal appendage to sting and attack their prey. Fortunately though, they aren’t very aggressive to humans.


7. Inland Taipan

Inland-Taipan-snake image

Another Australian native, the Inland Taipan is a highly fierce snake that has a very toxic venom. An Inland Taipan’s bite can kill a person in one hour. They can grow as long as 2.5 meters. Don’t be fooled because they are usually shy but their strike can be fatal.


8. Blue Krait

blue-krait-snake image

The Blue Krait can be usually in the Southeast Asian counties such as Sri Lanka, India and Indonesia. These snakes are very creepy because they usually hunt in the dark. The shocking fact is that their venom is very lethal that sometimes even after treatment, people still die from it.


9. Eastern Brown Snake

Eastern-Brown-Snake image

This snake is the 2nd most venomous type of snake in the world. Very common in Australia.  It usually ranges from around 1.2 to 1.8 meters long. This snake’s venom can lead to cardiac arrest and paralysis that eventually leads to death. According to reports, 1/14000 of its venom’s ounce can already kill a person. They are snakes to be concerned about because they usually live near homes.


10. Central Ranges Taipan

Central-Ranges-Taipan-snake image

This type of Taipan snake moves very fast. They are also highly venomous. Yet another Deadly Australian favourite snake to be very cautious of.They were formerly mistaken for Brown snakes until 2007. They are usually found in Asia and Australia.




This type of snake can be found in Northern Australia and South East Asia. The Belcher’s Sea Snake are very dangerous sea snakes. Their bite can kill a person in one hour. According to reports, a few milligrams of this snake’s venom can cause a thousand people to die. Yet another killer snake of Australia.Is Australia the land of killer snakes….


12. African Puff Adder


The African Puff Adder is very widely known in Africa because it has the record for most bite fatalities in the country. It grows up to one meter long and usually loves to be in the sun. They can be usually seen on roads, footpaths, or even near homes of humans. They are sluggish snakes but still very dangerous predators.


13. The Forest Cobra

Forest-Cobra-snake image

This snake is also known as the black cobra and is also considered as the biggest type of cobra in all of Africa. They love to reside in moist areas and lowlands. These snakes can reach up to 2.2. meters long. They are very fast snakes that can actually climb trees as high as ten metres


14. Desert Horned Viper

Desert-Horned-Viper-snake image

The Desert Horned Viper can usually be seen in North Africa and in the Middle East. This snake moves in a weird but effective way. The horns that can be seen on its head make it also very unique. They mostly feed on rodents, usually hiding under desert sands.


15. Boomslang

Boomslang-snake image

The Boomslang snake got its name because it usually resides in branches of trees. They are usually found in Africa’s Sub Sahara region. Their head is smaller compared to their body. They can only secrete very little venom because of their small fangs in proportion to their heads.


16. King Cobra

King-Cobra-snake image

King Cobra is one of the most popular snakes in the world. This snake is actually worshipped in parts of Burma and India. It is considered as the longest venomous snake in the world. They can reach lengths of up to 4 meters. Their fangs are very big and can secrete up to 500mg of venom in just a single bite.


17. Eastern Diamondback Rattle Snake

Eastern-Diamond-Back-Rattle-Snake image

The Eastern Diamondback Rattle Snake is basically the largest of its species. They are usually seen in the southeastern parts of the U.S. Their name is derived from the diamond patterns on their backs. They are considered as the heaviest venomous snake in the world. They can reach up to 10 kg.


18. Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

Western-Diamond-back-Rattlesnake image

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake can be usually found in Mexico and in the United States. They are more venomous than the Eastern Diamondback.


19. Coral Snake

Coral-Snake image

The Coral Snake can be seen in different parts of the United States but mostly on the southern states. They are highly venomous and very creepy because of their red, yellow and black color combination.


20. Speckled Brown Snake

Speckled-Brown-Snake-australia image

The Speckled Brown Snake are usually found in different parts of Australia. They love to stay on grassy plains. Their bite is dangerous but not as lethal as with other snakes. Still, you will need immediate medical attention once you get bitten by one.


21. The Western Brown Snake

Western-Brown-snake-or-Gwardar image

Western Brown snakes are natives of Australia and are regarded as very poisonous. They can be seen mostly in Western Australia. They are very fast but have short fangs which make their bite less fatal.


22. Indian Cobra

Indian-Cobra-snake image

Although the Indian Cobra is a moderately venomous species, its venom is rapid-acting and can be fatal absent immediate medical treatment or antivenom. Indian Cobra is responsible for about 15,000 fatalities per year and about 100,000-150,000 non-fatal bites per year.


23. Russell’s Viper

russells-viper-snake image

Being bitten by Russell’s viper is definitely the most painful thing you’ll ever experience. Blistering, bruising and even internal bleeding is common once bitten by this dangerous animal. Russell’s viper is responsible for about 25,000 fatalities annually in India alone.


24. Saw-Scaled Viper

saw-scaled-viper-snake image

They may come in small sizes, but the saw-scaled vipers are extremely lethal and aggressive in nature. They strike and attack very fast and mortality rate for those bitten are very high.


25. Samar Spitting Cobra

samar-spitting-cobra-snake image

Found in the southern islands of the Philippines, the Samar Spitting Cobra is one of the highly venomous and dangerous species of spitting cobra. Unlike other spitting cobras, the Samar Spitting Cobra is extremely aggressive and strikes even with little provocation.


26. Black-Necked Spitting Cobra

black-neck-spitting-cobra-snake image

Although mortality rate associated with Black-Necked Spitting Cobras are relatively low, they are still extremely dangerous considering that their venom is a serious irritant to the skin and eyes. Most death cases related to this species is due to asphyxiation by paralysis.


27. Rhinoceros Viper

rhino viper snake image

Although the Rhinoceros Viper is not as venomous as the other species on the list, they still pose grave danger considering that they are capable of striking quickly and with little provocation. Their venom usually attacks the body’s circulatory system and destroys the tissues and blood vessels.


28. Tentacled Snake

Tentacled-Snake image

Snake with twin tentacles? Well, that’s a new one! This incredibly creepy snake is native to Southeast Asia and uses its tentacles to lure its prey, mostly tiny fishes.


29. Eastern Hognose Snake

Eastern-hognose-snake image

Don’t ever dare threatening this very strange-looking snake! You can trust that they are the world’s biggest drama queens! They’ll trick you into playing dead and letting its tongue out, so don’t be fooled. Otherwise, you’ll end up as their victim.


30. Spider-Tailed Viper

Spider-Tailed-Viper-snake image

No, that’s not a deformity. This viper actually has a spider-like tail which it uses to lure its victims. Next time you see a spider-like figure, make sure it’s not the spider-tailed viper!


31. Philippine Cobra

Philippine-Cobra-snake image

This snake is very dangerous because it can actually spit venom. Their name is based on the fact that they can be usually found in the northern parts of the Philippines. These cobras are also fond of water. They usually feed on rodents and frogs. Their venom causes hard breathing and if not immediately treated, can lead to respiratory failure.


32. Tiger Snake

Tiger-Snake image

The Tiger Snake is usually found in Australia and Tasmania. Its name comes from its looks, having black and yellow colored skin. Any person can die from its venomous bite in a span of thirty minutes. They can reach up to three meters long.One of Australia’s deadliest snakes



Henry Sapiecha