Habu Snake Day (Habu no Hi)

What is Habu Snake Day?

August 2nd is "Habu Snake Day" (Habu no Hi). It was established by Nanto Co., Ltd., which operates the tourist facility Okinawa World in Nanjo City, Okinawa Prefecture. The facility includes a "Habu Museum Park," and the day aims to help people learn about the habu. The date comes from the wordplay "ha (8) - bu (2)." The habu is a venomous snake found in Okinawa and the Amami Islands, and understanding its habits helps prevent bites.

The People of Okinawa and Amami and the Habu

The habu has long been feared, but it has also been closely tied to island life and culture.

• A rat hunter: Habu catch and eat rats and other small animals. They are active at night and sometimes appear near homes and fields, so people have long been warned to be careful.
• The lesson of the mongoose introduction: In 1910, mongooses were brought to Okinawa Island to control habu. However, mongooses are active during the day while habu are nocturnal, so they rarely met — instead, mongooses preyed on rare species such as the Okinawa rail. It is a well-known example of how difficult it is for humans to intervene in ecosystems.

Habu Venom and Treatment

• Hemorrhagic venom: Habu venom is mainly of the "hemorrhagic" type, damaging tissue and blood vessels around the bite and causing severe pain and swelling.
• Antivenom: Habu bites are treated with antivenom. Thanks to the spread of treatment and advances in medicine, deaths from habu bites have fallen dramatically.

Interesting Facts About the Habu

• Heat-sensing "pit organs": Habu have heat-sensing pits between their eyes and nostrils, allowing them to sense the body heat of prey even in darkness.
• Habu sake: Okinawa has "habu-shu," made by steeping a habu in awamori or other spirits. Nanto, which runs Okinawa World, also produces habu-shu using captured snakes.
• Strike range: A habu is said to be able to strike across a distance of about two-thirds of its body length. If you see one, don't approach — keep a safe distance.
• Active even in winter: In the warm climate of Okinawa and Amami, habu are said not to fully hibernate and may be active in winter.
• The sanshin isn't covered in habu skin: Okinawa's three-stringed sanshin is covered in snakeskin, but it is mainly python skin. Habu skin is sometimes made into wallets and small goods.

Ideas for Spending Habu Snake Day

• Check when and where habu are commonly seen and what to do if you encounter one — especially useful if you're traveling to Okinawa or Amami.
• If bitten, the basic advice is not to run, stay calm and still, and get to a medical facility right away, for example by calling emergency services.
• Look up places where you can learn about habu, such as Okinawa World's Habu Museum Park.
• Use the mongoose story as a starting point to think about how invasive species affect ecosystems.

Not Just Fear, but Accurate Knowledge

August 2nd is a day to learn accurately about the habu of Okinawa and Amami. Knowing the habits of this feared venomous snake shows us how to avoid danger. In the summer outdoor season, why not review how to prepare for the hazards around you before heading into nature?