13 FEBRUARY 2019
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Mind your ssssstep Writer Taylum Meyer
W
hether snakes give you the chills or the thrills, one thing is for sure – this year we are encountering many more of them, due to not only the February heat but also the devastating fires that destroyed much of their habitat in and around our towns. February to March is traditionally 'snake season', but this year more of our slithering neighbours are making their way into our gardens and houses in search of much-needed food and water. According to Hugo Uys of Hermanus Snake Removals, the team has already caught and released 67 snakes this season. They have most commonly been found in Vermont (puff adders), Chanteclair (puff adders and boomslang), Fisherhaven (puff adders and Cape cobras), Voëlklip (boomslang) and Fernkloof (puff adders, Cape cobras, rinkhals and boomslang).
Corné Uys from Hermanus Snake Removals releasing a puff adder that they recently captured. This is the 67th snake the team has caught and released this season. PHOTO: Kyle Bonorchis
Here is what you need to know: • Snakes will only attack if they are scared or threatened; • They will normally be found close to food and water sources; • They tend to hide in tall grass, wood piles, under rubble, deep cracks in driveways or in dense brush. These places will mostly be dark, so watch out for them in those boxes you keep in the garage or garden shed; • On hot days they may seek shelter in houses to cool down and to wait until it gets cooler before they move on;
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• If you come across a snake, remain at a distance of at least five metres, and immediately phone a snake catcher to remove it while keeping an eye on the snake. Most common snakes: • Puff adder – Very dangerous. Bites cause a burning pain followed by swelling which progresses up the affected limb and may affect lymph glands; • Cape cobra – Very dangerous. Bites cause progressive weakness, dizziness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, drooping eyelids and nausea; • Boomslang – Very dangerous. Bites compromise blood clotting, causing bleeding from the nose and small cuts, followed by internal bleeding after several hours; • Rinkhals – Very dangerous. Bites are extremely rare but cause pain, swelling and potential tissue damage; • Mole snake – Not venomous but can give you a nasty bite; • Olive snake – Harmless and often mistaken for a black mamba or brown water snake; • Common slug-eaters – Harmless. Tips for snake bites: Do not: Cut or suck out the venom, apply a tourniquet, apply ice or warm water to the bite (use only cool water) or give the victim alcohol. Do: Get the victim to hospital (or vet if it is an animal) immediately, keep the victim calm and as still as possible, remove rings and tight clothing if bitten on a hand, foot, arm or leg, and try to identify the snake from a safe distance to help the doctor render appropriate treatment.