Wagler's pit vipers
On altars and branches.
Ltbdl — CC0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Marufish from Alor Setar, Malaysia — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Syafiqcool88 — CC BY-SA 4.0
A Chinese temple at Bayan Lepas in the south of the island, famous for the snakes that live freely among its altars and branches. It was built in the early nineteenth century in honour of the Buddhist monk Chor Soo Kong, who lived in China's Song dynasty and was known for healing the sick and sheltering snakes. Local legend says the snakes appeared on their own once the building was finished; most are green, spotted Wagler's pit vipers, and devotees believe the incense smoke keeps them calm. They are said to have been de-venomed but keep their fangs, so do not touch them or put them on your body. The temple itself is handsome, with ornate roofs, a red hall and an old bronze bell, and entry is free. Next door is a small snake exhibit for a token fee of about five ringgit, where photographers offer visitors pictures with a large snake for a charge. It is packed with devotees on the monk's birthday in the first month of the Chinese lunar calendar. It lies on the road to the airport, so you can stop on arrival or departure.
On altars and branches.
Ornate roofs and an old bell.
A quick stop on arrival.
Bayan Lepas, in the south of Penang Island near the airport
They are said to have been de-venomed, but they are real snakes that keep their fangs, so do not touch them or get too close, and watch children carefully.