El Nino: Snakes feeling the heat

The current hot and dry season due to the El Nino phenomenon has not only got the people "hot under the collar" but also snakes.

Kubang Pasu Civil Defence Department (JPAM) officer Kamalruzamal Kasa said from December till early March, they had received 87 calls on snakes seeking shelter from the heat at homes.

"In December we received 25 calls, January 33, February 23 and from March 1 till 16, six. The figures are almost double as compared to the corresponding periods last year," he told Bernama.

He said the increase was due to the searing heat and also snakes escaping from bush and forest fires.