In a coastal forest of the Philippines, a venomous 10-foot-long snake slithered along the ground. Something about the pale predator caught the attention of nearby scientists — and for good reason.

A group of hikers in Cebu chanced upon two snakes reportedly in combat mode. The hikers were on their way to Budlaan Falls from Mount Kan-irag in Barangay Sirao, upland Cebu City when they spotted two ...