CHINA DAILY (Beijing) 23 October 06 Snakes made quakes' messengers
Nanning's Municipal Bureau of Seismology recently set up video cameras to monitor the city's snakes as part of its efforts to forecast developing earthquakes.
The cameras went to snake farms in the city's Wuming County.
Jiang Weisong, director of the bureau of seismology, said snakes are the animals most sensitive to earthquakes, and can forecast tremors three to five days in advance even when they have gone into hibernation.
Staff in Jiang's bureau will observe the snakes through the video cameras 24 hours a day, reporting any unusual behaviour to relevant departments for further studies and analysis.
Nanning has been listed as one of the 12 major Chinese cities that should pay special heed in monitoring earthquakes.
Snakes made quakes' messengers