A sea snake seen only in Taal Lake may find itself treading the path to extinction, like the “tawilis,” unless actions are taken to address its dwindling population, conservationists said. Since 2009, the “duhol matapang” (Hydrophis semperi), which is endemic to Taal Lake in Batangas province, has been categorized as “vulnerable” in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Sightings of this species of sea snake have become rare except for a few instances when they are caught in fishermen’s nets. In December last year, a group of herpetologists from Guam and Saipan explored the lake and found only one duhol matapang, about 20 meters from the shore, in a two-day visit and diving expedition.

Cinco, M. (2019, May 4). 'Duhol matapang,' another Taal Lake resident, threatened by extinction. Philippine Daily Inquirer, p. A10.