Snakes currently remain active
After complaints of rinkhals entering a property in Brentwood Park, snake expert Conrad Prinsloo explained what to do while snakes still slither on the surface this autumn.
A Brentwood Park resident said she faced two incidents of a rinkhals entering her yard in a time space of two weeks.
“About a month ago, we came home one day from shopping and the snake was in our yard,” said the resident, who wanted to remain anonymous.
The family ran into the house to call a professional snake expert.
Unfortunately, the snake escaped the first time, but was found about two weeks later, when it was spotted the second time.
“We were then advised to close off all entry and exit points and holes,” the resident said.
Prinsloo, who is the vice-chairperson of the Far East Rand Herpetological Association (FERHA), said snakes will soon go into brumation, not true hibernation.
This means they still surface on hot days, even during winter when the cold is supposed to reach its peak.
“In SA we do not get true hibernation, because it does not get extremely cold,” Prinsloo said.
“However, we do see a lot fewer snakes when temperatures reach 15 to 18 degrees.”
Among the 15 known species of snakes on the East Rand, rinkhals are most common.
“Like all other snakes, they prefer to flee rather than to attack,” he said.
If a rinkhals feels trapped, it will spread its hood in attempt to escape.
If that does not scare away the offender, it will spit at the face.
And, if this does not work, it will play dead; however, it will bite when picked up.
If you encounter a rinkhals, Prinsloo said, you need to stay 5m from it.
“Watch the snake and contact your local professional snake remover,” he advised.
If you are bitten or spat at, do this:
• You should calm down, remain immobile and be transported to a hospital.
• Do not use tourniquets, apply shock therapy, cut and suck the wound or apply alcohol.
• If spat in the eyes, rinse the eyes under running water for 15 minutes then seek medical attention.
He also explained what not to do to attract snakes:
• Do not pile garden and building rubble, leave garden beds to overgrow or allow bird food to pile up.
• Keep your work and living area clear of hiding places.
“New property developments and other forms of construction displace these animals, forcing them to adapt to urban areas,” Prinsloo said.
Lastly, claims that old diesel, Jeyes Fluid, Condy’s crystals, wild garlic and geraniums keep snakes away are myths; these have no effect on them.
Contact details for the removal of reptiles can be found on the East Rand Snakes and Reptiles Facebook group.
