The Mangusada Regional Hospital in Mengwi, Bali, has confirmed that it will now be stocking anti-venom for treating victims of venomous snake bites.
While there are dozens of fantastic hospitals in Bali, many do not carry anti-venom. Tourists need to know where to go and what to do in the extremely unlikely event that they are bitten by one of Bali’s few venomous snake species.
The Mangusada Regional Hospital, which is 30 minutes from Canggu and 35 minutes from Ubud, does not stock a treatment known as BIOSAVE1. This is a polyvalent anti-venom that can be administered to counteract neurotoxic venoms and some hemotoxic venoms.
According to the manufacturer’s notes, BIOSAVE can be administered by medical professionals to treat bites from the following snakes, Javan Spitting Cobra, King Cobra, Banded Krait, Malaysian Pit Viper, Green Pit Viper, and Russel’s Viper.
Speaking to reporters the CEO of RSD Mangusada, Wayan Darta, confirmed “There are perhaps tens of dosages available, which is enough for now. I hope there are no fatal cases.”
He added, “Every year, we propose the procurement of snake anti-venom because the stock is difficult to obtain. Therefore, we always try to provide sufficient reserves.”
According to Bali Reptile Rescue, a highly regarded reptile removal and reptile rescue NGO in Bali, there are five venomous snake species in Bali that the public should be aware of.
The NGO operates rescue and removal of snakes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be called out to hotels, villas, private homes, and businesses at a moment’s notice.
The five species in question are the King Cobra, the Spitting Cobra, the Banded Krait, the Lesser Sunda Pit Viper, and the Pit Viper.
Bali Reptile Rescue shares, “Identifying a snake is no easy task, even for avid snake enthusiasts. When encountering a snake, they will likely try to flee or hide, which can make successfully identifying it difficult. In some cases, certain snakes can become defensive, rearing up or flattening out their body as they face off against a would-be threat.”
They add, “Never approach a snake you don’t recognize, as there are many species of snakes in Bali that are poisonous, but that can be confused for other, similar-looking non-venomous snakes in the area.”
During the rainy season, snakes in Bali are most active and there is always an increase in the number of callouts and reported sightings of the island’s serpentine residents. Snakes are often reported as having been found in gardens, hiding in bathrooms, and kitchen areas of homes and private villas.
Organizations like Bali Reptile Rescue always return and relocate snakes to the wild once they have been safely rescued from human habitats and assessed for injury.
It is not appropriate to kill a snake in Bali. As a species, snakes hold deep cultural significance in Balinese Hinduism, including being associated with spiritual entities like Naga Basuki, the sacred serpent that symbolizes both protection and balance. Killing a snake, whether intentionally or by accident is considered to bring bad karma and in some cases curses.
On 2nd February 2025, the community of Kutampi Kaler Village in Nusa Penida conducted a full ceremonial funeral for a 4-metre-long python. The community gathers to complete the traditional burial procession for the snake after it was killed in the days prior.
As reported at the time, two village members were reported to have come into contact with the snake before it was killed. On the nights that followed the snake’s death, two village members had vivid dreams that bore similarities to one another.
Both were said to have been visited by a large figure who called for his pet snake to be buried respectfully. During the funeral rights, no less than fifteen community members became possessed, the first time such an incident had occurred in the village.
The Head of the Village, Wayan Duduk, told reporters, “This is the first time that so many of our residents have been possessed.” Adding, “We hope that after this burial ritual is carried out, mystical events will no longer occur here.”
Bali Reptile Rescue Hotline can be contacted at +62 821 4638 0270.
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