How do I avoid the man-eating snake?

There is no way to avoid it.

But you might be able to find something that will help you out of your
predicament.

Maybe you can make the snake spit you out.

You should have found something recently that might cause the snake to do so.

Did you remember the plaque you read on the way to Danjer Cove?

The ipecac flower can be used as a purgative.

But the snake won't take the flower by itself.

You can't reach anything outside of the snake.

So look inside it.

There's a bulge in his belly with a whole bunch of times.  Keep taking the
items there until there aren't any left.

Have you ever heard of ipecac outside of this game?