For new players Snakes are the worst (I know it has been said before).
They seriously hamper new players just trying to get started.
When in combat mode stamina doesn't replenish - I don't have enough to climb a ledge - making escape from snake impossible! Snakes are invisible and extremely agro, they pusue relentlessly.
A bear I can understand, bears roar (warning), & obviously hostile creatures.
Snakes are practically invisible, if you don't have any weapons or stomp you are dead.
kilometres from home all your loot is dropped - which means no sword for you, or new stomp attack skill. So even if you can kill them but fail to they take away your ability to kill them, therefore you can't kill them even if you could. I often encounter them when my stamina is already low - suddenly I'm attacked & possibly poisoned then often dead in seconds.
Also no indication that loss of skills results - which can happen multiple times trying to retrieve loot. This can completely harm a new player, who thinks it is a bug or just can't understand how all that level is suddenly gone.
Normal snakes in real life only attack if threatened - they don't pursue endlessly like a terminator (sure bears will).
I know you will say "If you can't handle snakes wait for pk players!" - but I am aware of Permanent death - says it in game description, but it doesn't NOT say PK SNAKES which remove skills!!!!
I really think they shouldn't pursue - that would make them far fairer.