Most snakes around Benoni are no threat to people
With the municipality recently warning residents about snakes, Rynfield resident Anthony Rochford provided more information on the types of snakes you are likely to encounter in Benoni.
Rochford said he has around 40 years’ local knowledge and experience of capturing and rescuing snakes.
Brown house snake
This medium-size snake can reach a maximum of approximately 1,5m.
Gauteng species are usually light brown in colour, with very distinct white stripes on the side of the head.
This is a common species throughout South Africa and possibly the most likely to be encountered country wide.
This species is a constrictor, with mice and small rats making up much of its diet.
Like all constrictors, it holds its prey in a series of body coils until eventually the prey suffocates as the snake tightens its grip every time its prey exhales (contrary to popular myth, constrictors do not crush their prey).
As small rodents form the greater part of this snake’s diet, it can often be found around stables where it performs a useful function of controlling rodent population.
A single adult specimen can easily consume a complete nest of rats or mice.
Although it is completely non-venomous, it bites readily and as with any animal bite, infection is a real risk. Bites should be cleaned with antiseptic.
Aurora house snake
Similar in habits and size to the brown house snake, this species is more secretive and not as commonly encountered.
It is easily identifiable by its light green colour and distinctive yellow stripe running all the way down its spine.
It isn’t venomous.
Brown water snake
The snake reaches approximately 1,2m in length and is olive brown with a pinkish underside – it prefers a damp habitat.
Benoni’s dams and wetlands provide ideal conditions for this snake.
It preys almost exclusively on frogs and tadpoles and is inoffensive and harmless and seldom attempts to bite, even when first encountered.
Skaapsteker
This is a fast-moving medium-size snake which reaches no more than 1,2m in length.
It is multi-coloured with indistinct diamond patterns, stripes and spots throughout its length.
It has small fangs set back in the mouth, and although it is mildly venomous, a bite to a human would not result in any significant symptoms – beyond possible local irritation.
Lizards and frogs are its main food source and it is common near vleis and open grasslands.
Its name; skaapsteker (sheep stabber) is misleading – as this snake has neither the venom or the physical means to cause damage to an animal the size of a sheep.
Red-lipped or herald snake
This small 90cm mildly venomous species has fangs situated in the rear of the mouth.
It is olive brown and usually has red lips which make it easy to identify.
The head is also usually much darker than the rest of the body.
If disturbed, it puts on a show of aggression, striking repeatedly and will bite if given the opportunity.
The venom is weak with no effect on humans and is used for immobilising frogs and toads, which form the majority of its prey.
Whilst an encounter with a snake can be a frightening experience for the uninitiated, it should be remembered that the snake is undoubtedly more afraid of you, than you are and its first instinct will be to flee. If that isn’t possible, then its defence mechanisms come into play; which are typically more bluff than substance.
Rinkhals
Probably the snake most encountered locally and growing to over 1,5m, this species has two or three white stripes across its neck which make it easy to identify.
The body is usually a dull grey-black in species from the Highveld.
The snake – although not a true cobra – displays the typical behaviour of spreading a hood and also spits from the upright hood spread position.
Venom in the eyes causes immediate irritation and should be washed out immediately, to prevent infection and reduce the risk of further damage. Although the potency of this snake’s venom should not be underestimated and is potentially life-threatening, bites to humans are extremely rare and it doesn’t feature in snake fatality statistics.
They do however, often bite dogs with fatal consequences.
An interesting adaptation of this snake is its inclination to play dead (lying on its back with tongue hanging out) to avoid confrontation.
These are common misconceptions of snakes:
• Snakes don’t hunt in pairs and are solitary creatures, except during periods of breeding.
• Snakes’ tongues are not venomous – and are used for ‘tasting’ the air around them.
• Snakes are not slimy – their skin is usually dry.
• Apart from two species in South Africa – the rinkhals and (Mozambique or mfezi) spitting cobras – no other snakes can spit their venom.
• No snakes are ‘poisonous’ but some snakes are ‘venomous’.
• Less than 5 per cent of bites from potentially deadly species, actually result in death
• Loss of habitat is the main threat to snakes, as urban development escalates and areas suitable for snake habitation become smaller. With the loss of a suitable environment, comes an increase in prey species and in particular, an increase in rats and mice which harbour disease. Snakes themselves are also an important source of food, for small predators such as owls and mongooses
• Many snakes are killed on sight, due to ignorance of their habits and behaviour. They should be cherished and be observed in their natural habitat.
