There are about two and a half thousand flowering plants in Goa. This is 27% of all flowers found in India. In addition, there are hundreds of varieties of ferns and various herbs. So holidays in goa can become a kind of trip to the open-air zoo.

One third of the territory is occupied rainforests, which are mostly concentrated in the east of the state, on the slopes of the Western Ghats. At the same time, most of the tropics are nature reserves, some of which are open to the public.

The central regions of the country are rocky and sandy soil, resulting in mostly drought-tolerant plants.

In the coastal part there are coconut palms and banyan trees. There is also a special government program to grow coconut palms, which provide shade for some crops that are not very sun tolerant.

Animal world

The fauna here is no less diverse and rich than the vegetation. There are more than fifty species of mammals in the state, including also large animals such as bears, Bengal cats, panthers, bison and leopards. Most of the mammals live in the dense jungle, mainly in protected areas. The opportunity to see animals exists when visiting some open reserves. Every tourist can holiday in goa visit these reserves.

Large rivers are the habitat of crocodiles, which can be seen when organizing special excursions.

Literally everywhere in Goa you can meet monkeys. Although they are not as annoying and arrogant as in the northern states, it is still worth being very careful while walking with these petty thieves. However, many travelers choose holidays in goa just to look at these younger brothers of man.

Many birds live here, both local and migratory. There are about 400 species of them. Most are found in the jungle, but there are also birds that live on the coast - the Indian heron, the green parrot, the kingfisher, which is the symbol of the state, the Asian koyal, which has a very unpleasant appearance, other.

It is also worth noting that 23 different snakes live in Goa, most of which is absolutely safe for humans. Among poisonous snakes- vipers, rattlesnakes and king cobras. Meeting them may lead to holidays in goa will leave a mark not only in the memory, but also on the body. There are also sea snakes in the sea, although they swim quite far from the shore, so the likelihood of encountering them is low. Moreover, they are practically harmless, and local fishermen can quite easily pick them up. Rays, which are also quite common, are not aggressive and swim away when they meet a person.

You can not be afraid of spiders and scorpions, as they very rarely crawl into houses and try to stay away from humans. Much ants are more dangerous, which bite very painfully and can cause serious harm to food.

Summing up, I would like to note that holidays in goa will be remembered for a long time for tourists who set themselves the most various purposes trips.

Welcome to Goa! Surely you have heard about this piece of paradise on the coast of the Arabian Sea. But even in this tropical paradise, as elsewhere, it is necessary to remember the responsibility for yourself, your loved ones, as well as your property and money. What you need to remember and how to protect yourself from unpleasant situation in Goa, what dangers can be in Goa, as well as just local features in Goa - read about this in this article below.

1. Transport in Goa and road traffic in Goa

The modes of transport in Goa are as follows: taxis, tuk-tuks (autorickshaws), motorcycle taxis, motorcycles, scooters, buses.

Visitors to Goa often rent scooters and motorcycles, less often cars. If you decide to rent a vehicle, then carefully study the following information:

Traffic in Goa, as in all of India, is left-handed. Drivers use horn signals all the time: when they drive behind, drive towards, overtake and just like that. Often turned on at night high beam. Therefore, be prepared that while driving you will be honked during the day and blind high beam in the evening - just like that, these are the customs of the road.

When renting a vehicle, in no case leave a deposit (no money, no passport) - all you need is a copy of your passport with a copy of the current Indian visa, as well as information about which hotel or address you live in and contact Indian phone number, if available. If you take a bike at a hotel, then they may not ask you for anything but money.

Be sure to agree with the owner of the bike that you are responsible for the appearance of the bike. If your motor or horn or something else breaks down along the way, then these are the costs of the owner of the transport, and not yours. It is better to take a picture of visible external damage to the bike and point it out to the owner so that when you return the motorcycle, you will not have claims about old scratches.

Be sure to check your brakes.

In Goa, you can ride without a helmet only in local villages. When leaving the track, the presence of a helmet on the driver's head is mandatory, on the passenger's head it is optional.

Transport has two types of numbers - yellow and white. Yellow numbers are for rental vehicles, white numbers are for personal use. Accordingly, the rental of vehicles with yellow numbers is in accordance with the law, but with white ones it is no longer. But the police can find fault with this on the highway or in major cities.

There are many speed bumps in Goa, some of them are not marked with signs or markings. Therefore, not knowing the way, you run the risk of jumping unexpectedly.

There is a joke about Indian drivers that they drive on karma. And there is some truth in this joke: there are frequent cases of overtaking on a blind turn, moving in an oncoming lane, a sudden start to move from the side of the road, a sharp turn without turn signals. Keep this in mind when driving on the roads of Goa. If you have little management experience vehicle in Asian countries, observe simple rules security in Goa:

Wear a helmet (in the sun it still protects your head from the sun's rays)

Move slowly. If you're in a hurry, sometimes it's wiser to take a taxi or tuk-tuk.

Keep to the left side of the road, but not too close to the curb. (Cars and motorcycles parked on the side of the road may suddenly enter the road without warning signals)

Signal. Always honk when overtaking, when crossing an intersection or a blind turn.

If you are on a scooter, use the front and rear brakes when braking. The front brake is where the throttle is. If you only brake with it, then the rear wheel is likely to skid, especially on gravel roads.

Park vehicles only in designated areas. In large cities, as well as in some resort areas (Baga-Calangute-Candolim), vehicles parked in the wrong place can be taken away on a tow truck or the front wheel can be blocked with a lock.

Protect your eyes while riding. Goa has dusty roads, especially if you have a truck and bus in front of you, kicking up dust. In the evening, small midges and midges fly out near the reservoirs, which strive to fly into the eyes.

Slow down at intersections and blind turns. In Goa, as in India, there is a rule: whoever is bolder is more important. Not the fact that you will be the most arrogant.

Show the turn not only with signals on the transport, but also with your hands. Scooters with turn signals on are often driven in Goa. Therefore, the included turn signal may not mean anything to other road users. Complement your turn signals with gestures.

Always drive sober. Remember that you are responsible for the appearance of the transport. Who needs extra spending on cosmetic repairs?

2. Cheating, divorce, fraud in Goa

Deceptions and divorces in Goa occur, as a rule, due to the ignorance of the deceived themselves. Do not rush to pay 1000 rupees for the goods, maybe somewhere nearby you can buy the same thing for 100 rupees.

Bargain.

On products and on packages, see the inscription MRP - this means the maximum retail price. Above it, no one has the right to sell - this is the law.

Book excursions with Russian companies- only from them you will receive detailed information and answers to your questions in plain language.

3. Petty theft in Goa

Goa is a non-criminal state, but this does not mean that you can forget about the simplest safety rules:
When leaving the house or room, close windows and doors;

If you live on a budget in guesthouses, then bring the padlock. In Goa, doors are usually equipped for him.

It's better to carry a breast purse than a pocket purse. Especially if you are going to visit crowded places.

Do not leave valuables on the balcony. They may well be kidnapped, if not by people, then by monkeys.

Don't leave your things unattended

4. Drugs in Goa

Indian laws, no less than Russian ones, are strict on people associated with illegal substances. There are cases when foreign tourists were forced to buy off local police with considerable bribes, amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. However, the option of paying off does not always help, and in some cases the case is completed by a prison cell.

In addition, the local police often practice all sorts of setups when the buyer is arrested on a tip from the seller-informant. All this is a good reason to think about whether a dose of weed is worth such a risk, or maybe it is worth refraining from such an "extreme".

5. Plants and animals in Goa

The flora and fauna in Goa is tropical, at first glance it will seem exotic. She is as hospitable as locals. There is no point in fearing or avoiding nature in Goa, but nevertheless we will say a few words about it. Forewarned is forearmed.

There are no poisonous plants in Goa. The most dangerous is a coconut, which can suddenly fall on your head. And suddenly he can fall on his head somewhere in the jungle, where people do not collect nuts from coconut trees. At hotels and cafes, palm trees, as a rule, are without nuts, or a safety net is stretched between the palm trees, or there are no palm trees at all.

Often people ask: are there snakes in Goa? Are there spiders and other animals in Goa? Yes, I have. But don't be afraid. Snakes in Goa are found where there are few people and more jungle. There are also spiders in Goa, but they are small and calmly feed on other Goan insects. Quietly weave their webs for themselves and live like that. In Goa, there are mosquitoes that live an active life in the evenings, and are especially active during the rainy season.

There are few animals in Goa: cows and buffaloes, dogs, monkeys, geckos, cats, bats, as well as birds: crows, eagles, pigeons, kingfisher and others. So, in order:

Cows roam the streets of Goa in abundance. They can walk on the roadway, they can sleep on it. People are not touched. They love to eat almost everything, even cardboard. Animals, although peaceful, should not behave aggressively with them or provoke them - it is impossible to predict the behavior of an animal that weighs more than a hundred kg.

Buffaloes - such big gray cows with long, curved back horns - mostly work in the fields. Their behavior is somewhat similar to cows.

Monkeys, like snakes, are found where less people and more jungle. There are two types of monkeys in Goa: black-faced and pink-faced. Black-faced are found in the vicinity of Kerim, can be found on the road to Mapsu. They categorically do not make contact, they run away at the sight of a person at the first opportunity.

Pink-faced macaques can be found in abundance at DudhSagar Falls. They are fat and arrogant. People, as their breadwinners, are not touched, but they should not be provoked either. Always keep your belongings safe, otherwise the macaques can grab a T-shirt and try to put it on themselves, and then leave it on a tree.

Dogs in Goa are peaceful, especially where there are a lot of people on the beaches. But nevertheless, as with all dogs, you should not provoke them to aggression - this is a no brainer. Where there are fewer people, for example, on roads, dogs are not so tamed, they are activated mainly at night - we do not recommend walking along deserted roads at night.

Geckos are such goggle-eyed lizards, they live everywhere, in houses, they eat insects. At the slightest danger, they immediately crawl away.

Cats are very shy creatures in Goa, most often found shabby. Few of the cats will allow themselves to be stroked - people are usually afraid, although there are exceptions.

Bats live again where there are fewer people. You can meet them in the dark, when, while riding a bike, something incomprehensible flies in the light of the headlights on. Most likely, this is incomprehensible and is bat. They fly around people and do not engage in vampirism

All birds in Goa fly by themselves. It makes no sense to fear or avoid them in any way.

6. Sea and beach in Goa

In Goa, as in any beach resort:

Protect your skin, cover your head, don't swim behind the buoys, etc. etc. - in general, stay reasonable person while resting anywhere.

7. Expired Indian Visa

This is absolutely unacceptable! To stay in Goa "longer", as some of our compatriots like, means deliberately incurring a variety of consequences. The minimum nuisance that threatens to delay a visa to India is blacklisting and the inability to come again.

Sometimes an unlucky tourist is allowed to leave the country after paying a large fine and long bureaucratic ordeals. But it happens that a foreigner is imprisoned for violating the visa regime or a fake extension of the period of stay. Proposal to extend tourist visa – pure water divorce, as officially it is not renewed under any circumstances. Only a permit for temporary stay in the country is possible medical indications or other force majeure reasons.

Therefore, be sure to follow these recommendations:

Resist the urge to illegally stay in Goa longer.

Do not, under any circumstances, agree to fraudulent visa extensions, because we already know that this is impossible by law.

8. Police in Goa

Police officers, although they are civil servants, are friendlier than in Russia. For example, you can ask the Goan policemen for directions - they will show you. Without reason, they do not delay - so there is no point in being afraid of them. Only if you are convicted of using drugs or aggressive behavior“then they have reason to detain you.” They used to talk about bribery by the police, but now such cases are less common.

9. Locals in Goa

The locals are friendly and welcoming. But this does not mean that they can not be respected. Goans are very religious, so respect the Hindu temples you visit: do not take pictures, take off your shoes, women must wear clothes that cover their shoulders and knees. Don't touch anything without permission.

Once a foreigner struck a ritual bell without asking anyone, so then he was punished with fists and sticks.

Be polite and honest. You are a guest in Goa.

As you can see, all the warnings are elementary, simple and understandable.

The emblem of Goa among animals is the gaur, among birds - the nightingale. The two main animals in Goa are cows and dogs. About 50 species of wild mammals live in Goa, including such large ones as bears, leopards, panthers, bison, Bengal cats. Most of them live deep in the jungles of the Western Ghats, and to see them, you need to go to one of the open national parks. Snakes, monkeys, elephants, crabs and other shrimp are rather exotic, they can be seen in nature reserves. Foxes, wild beavers and migratory birds- these are the main inhabitants of the jungle of Goa. The bird world includes several types of exotic birds. Numerous species fish also live off the coast of Goa and in local rivers - crabs, lobsters, shrimps, mussels, jellyfish, oysters. South Goa differs significantly from the northern part of the state. The south coast is much more varied and picturesque in itself, and dominates here tropical flora and fauna.

cows

As elsewhere in India, a lot of cows roam the roads of Goa, they interfere with traffic, wander onto the beaches, pester tourists and try to steal food. Despite the sacred status and respect that cows enjoy among Hindus, it is not uncommon to see how the locals apply to them physical strength- in every restaurant or shop there is a special stick for daring curious animals.
Cows and oxen are an integral part of the Goa landscape: they are allowed to walk wherever they like and eat wherever they want. During the day, many cows roam the beaches and chew on everything that is badly lying - pineapple, banana peel or newspaper. It is strange to see avid beachgoers and cows basking in the sun nearby, like old friends. There are also clarifications of relations between bulls. Furious fighting bulls, sweeping away on their way resort onlookers - an unpleasant sight. By the way, cows in India do not moo.

Dogs

Dogs in Goa are good-natured creatures. Indian dogs are no less interesting than cows. They are all of some exceptional local breed, mostly reddish with elongated muzzles and expressive eyes. They embody wisdom and slowness, closely monitor the world around them and clearly know some secret. Here they are quite independent in the choice of decisions and exist with the owner almost on an equal footing. They themselves choose the person they are interested in. They can attach themselves to you on the beach and follow you a meter for a while until they get bored. They do not beg, but joyfully run around you, looking and looking into your eyes, as if they hear something at the level of thoughts. They can call their friends, and then a flock of dogs mince after you and cut circles around. And it does not matter that the dog does not speak like a human - in India it is enough to communicate with thoughts. If the dog likes you, he will come and put his head in your lap, as if he were an old friend. Stand like that, sigh, look you in the eye and move on.

cats

Cats are much rarer than dogs in India. Cats, like cows and dogs, have oblong muzzles and the same measured melancholy character. They even meow like little cows - they growl just as abruptly. No purring or gentle "meow-meow".

Sambars and barking deer

Monkeys

Monkeys run across the road in the morning. Langur is the most common species of monkey in India. The male langur reaches 75 cm in height, weight - up to 21 kg. Near the Dajsagar waterfall you can meet monkeys. You can’t call them very friendly, they are only interested in food, but it’s still nice to feed from your hands and quarrel with males.

Cotigao nature reserve

In the Cotigao reserve live various types monkeys, Indian buffaloes, panthers, hyenas...

Gaur or Indian bison

Gaur or Indian bison is the largest ungulate animal in India. The male reaches 95 cm in height and weighs over 900 kg.

elephants

Indian elephant inferior in size African elephant. He, unlike the African, lends himself well to training and has long become almost a pet. On the spice plantations you can ride an elephant (there are about nine of them in Goa), so take the opportunity. Elephants on a spice plantation.

cockroaches

Cockroaches in Goa reach enormous sizes.

Everywhere snakes

There are snakes in Goa, as in any country located in tropical zone. A lot or not - it's up to you how lucky you are. You can not meet a single one, but you can see several pieces in one day. There are 238 snake species in India, 50 of which, including 20 varieties of sea snakes, are venomous. The cobra, the most famous of the venomous snakes, can reach 5 meters in length. Of the non-poisonous reptiles, it should be noted rat snake, which looks like a cobra, tree snake and python.

Salim-Ali

Goa is home to many famous national parks, including the world famous Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary located on Chorao Island. It is worth mentioning such reserves as Bondla, Molem, Kotigao, Netravali. The smallest of them occupies only eight square kilometers, and the largest is Netravali - more than two hundred thousand! hornbill

Bhagwan Mahavir Reserve

It occupies an area of ​​approximately 240 sq. km. Panthers, sloth bears, sambars live. And at night, tigers and elephants wander from the territory of the neighboring state of Karnataka. It is difficult to see them, but you will definitely see the Indian bison, sika deer, macaque and striped mongoose! The reserve is home to many birds, including the Malabar hornbill, bee-eaters, blue stone thrushes, as well as partridges.

crocodiles

Crocodiles can be seen in major rivers- For those who wish, special excursions are organized. Who can be found everywhere are monkeys - macaques and langurs - although there are not so many of them here and they are not as annoying as in the northern states. In the rivers you can easily meet large crocodiles (4-5 meters). They say they eat fish, but I saw how quietly they get up, so they don’t advise washing your hands there, although it’s unlikely that anyone will have such a desire - the water in the rivers is very muddy.

Marine life and stingray

The bottom is sandy, there are no algae. And no living creatures, everything is clean and even. For this reason, lovers of snorkeling (diving with a mask) have nothing to do here - there are no underwater beauties. It is true that stingrays are found in the sea, but mostly they swim far from the coast, and there are not so many of them. By themselves, they are not at all aggressive and rather even cowardly, and if possible, if they see a person approaching, they try to hide. The wingspan of a large stingray reaches one and a half meters, and on the tail there is a spike up to 15 centimeters in length, with which it can inflict cutting and stabbing wounds for self-defense. This thorn is poisonous, although its venom is not fatal. Stingrays love to bask in shallow water, burrowing into the sand, and you can accidentally step on it.

400 bird species

Goa also has up to 400 species of exotic birds, both native and migratory. Index 1 - the most common, such as sparrows, lanes and crows. So, the same index is 1 in two species of kingfisher and black kite. Most of them inhabit the jungles of the eastern regions, but some are also found on the coast: green parrot, Indian heron, Asian koyal, and kingfisher, purple-backed sunbird - Nectarinia zeylonica.

Common koel Eudynamys scolopaceus

Common or Asian koel - Eudynamys scolopaceus - a bird with red eyes. During the nesting period, these cuckoos are very noisy. The voice of the males sounds like a loud whistling trill, ending with the characteristic exclamation "ga-el", from where the name of the bird came from. Females respond with short whistles.
In addition to absolutely crazy screams, this bird also climbs trees, resembles a monkey, or at least a cat). Like most cuckoos of the Old World, koels toss eggs into the nests of other birds. In India, crows are most often the caretakers of koel chicks, in Australia - large species honeysuckers and orioles. The cuckoo seeks to take possession of all the food delivered by its parents and either dooms its neighbors to starvation, or even throws them out of the nest. The basis of the diet of adult koels is a variety of fruits. These birds often visit gardens where they feast on fruits.

Sal river, bird watching

Any "cruise" on the Sal River in South Goa somehow turns into bird watching. And there really is something to see.

Eastern bee-eater

Eastern bee-eater - Merops orientalis - fyuk/ Green Bee-eater. Asian birds are distinguished by their brown cap and blue cheeks.

Salim Ali Bird Sanctuary

It occupies part of the island of Chorao, on the shores of which you can see storks, herons and ducks. Crabs live in the mangrove swamps of Chorao Island, mudskippers. You can get to the reserve by ferry from Ribandera. Indian heron

rice skate

Anthus rufulus

green parrots

Early in the morning and before sunset one could hear the singing of parrots - green, with a red beak and tail.

Herons

white heron

Brahmin kite

Korshunov in Goa is like a raven in Russia.

Pink Belly Bulbul

Pink-bellied bulbul - Pycnonotus cafer, eng. Red Vented Bulbul. 20 cm long, has a long tail. The upper side and chest are painted brown or black. The back and belly are lighter and have a beautiful scaly pattern.

Stork-billed gurial

Stork-billed gurial - Pelargopsis capensis or Halcyon capensis, eng. Stork-billed Kingfisher. It belongs to the large kingfishers. Unlike most species of the family, it nests in hollows. big trees growing along the banks of rivers in the mountainous part of the island. It lives up to its name, because the huge red beak really looks like a stork. The stork-billed kingfisher is painted in an original way. Top part head light brown, neck and Bottom part the bodies are buffy-red, the back, wings and tail are of an even light blue color. Red - beak, leg and ring of skin around the eyes.

green beard

Green beard - Megalaima viridis - English. White-cheeked Barbet.

Red-billed kingfisher

Red-billed white-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis, another name is red-billed kingfisher. This kingfisher is not tied to the water as much as other kingfisher species. It nests in dry cultivated landscapes, in palm groves, parks and sometimes in forest clearings, but still most often on steep banks near water. For the nest, it digs holes up to 50 cm long. In the clutch there are 4-7 round white eggs.

Gecko on the wall

If the gecko is in the house, then there are no insects. He feeds on them.

Crabs on the beach

Turtles

there are laying places in South Goa on Galgibag beach.

Spiders and scorpions

Spiders and scorpions rarely crawl into houses, much big problem represent ants that bite painfully and can spoil food supplies, as well as mosquitoes.

The Arabian Sea is not as rich in corals as the Red Sea, but it is simply “teeming” with “unafraid” fish! Especially interesting is the island of Agatti in the Lakshadweep archipelago, where untouched underwater life resembles the Maldives.

Variety of fish

In the waters of Goa there are barracudas, chrysipters, snappers, sweet lips, sea ​​bass and groupers, angelfish, butterflyfish, parrotfish, wrasses, sharks, zebrasomes, tuna, platax, scorpionfish, lionfish, gobies, Moorish idols, moray eels and others. There is a variety of hard corals here. From other marine life can be found sea ​​cucumbers, turtles, lobsters, cuttlefish, shrimp and shellfish. AT warm waters many playful bottlenose dolphins, however, they are afraid of divers. Less common are various sharks and rays.

sea ​​snakes

In Goa, there are actually sea snakes in the sea. But first, they swim far from the coast, however, sea snakes, known as Hydrophis Lapemoides, are often found on the beaches, because during the period from November to February they live closer to the coastline than usual, and they are washed by waves on the coastal sand. Once on land, sea snakes are unable to move due to a weak spine and appear dead. However, most often they are alive and can deliver a blow that can be fatal: their poison is deadly. Adults reach a meter in length, but even cubs are very dangerous.

What dangers can tourists expect in Goa? After all, this tourist state of India looks like heaven on earth. Most tourists, having rested in Goa, retain the same opinion. But going there, get ready for possible unexpected meetings.

First of all, even in Russia, you need to learn more about the Goan fauna, what dangers it can potentially bring to tourists in Goa, and how they can be prevented or prevented.

Some dangers in Goa for tourists

There are people who in any foreign place feel restless, uncomfortable, everywhere they see imminent troubles. In fact, danger can await a person in his own home. And what dangers await tourists in Goa, and what is their probability?

snakes

With this fauna you will certainly meet on vacation. Snakes in Goa are one of the local natural attractions and even business cards You may not like the first acquaintance, but it's a matter of taste.

Land and sea snakes live in Goa. sea ​​snakes they are not numerous in Goa, and they live far from the coast, and you should not be afraid of them. Among the many different types There are not so many poisonous snakes in Goa.

Often tourists themselves unwind in themselves a fear of snakes. To calm them down, the locals pick up Goan snakes, demonstrating that they are completely safe and not aggressive. Not everyone is comforted by this.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW! There have been no reported deaths after encountering a snake in India.

What snakes are found in Goa?

Let's name some of the most common completely harmless types of snakes:

• blind snake;
• sand boa;
• Indian warty snake;
• tree snake;
• wolf snake, etc.

Poisonous snakes of Goa are less common and much less likely to make contact with humans:

• cobras;
• Indian krait;
• coral snake;
• Russell's viper;
• bamboo keffiyeh, etc.

Antidote for snakebite in Goa

In which hospital can you get a snakebite in Goa? Seek help from local Indians, do not search yourself. There are government hospitals in Mapusa and Kandalim, they have antidote and qualified medical care.

The state also has its own snake management service. On your phone call, she will immediately arrive at the place indicated by you. An appropriate specialist will capture the snake from the hotel room or office and release it into the wild.

First aid for a snake bite in Goa

First you need to calm the victim, thanks to this, the spread of poison throughout human body will slow down significantly. Then immobilize the bitten part from the rest of the body with a splint.

Eliminate the possibility of infection of the bite site or a significant acceleration of blood flow in the body of the victim. Arrange for his immediate hospitalization and treatment medical care. Record the bite time.

The patient cannot walk, but can be carried on a stretcher. You will have to describe to the doctors the snake that bit your friend, so try to remember it immediately on the spot. The hospital has posters of Goa snakes.

Many people are morbidly afraid of snakes. In medicine, this is called herpetophobia. These reptiles, indeed, cause a painful, panic state that is not amenable to rational control.

1. There is an opinion that snakes always attack. This is not true. The snake is trying to hide from the person, not to draw his attention to himself. In a sudden meeting, both sides are equally afraid of each other.