SNAKE TALES: What you need to know about the Night Adder

SPRING has finally arrived and it’s a wonderful time of year, especially if you’re interested in nature. It’s the breeding season for many different animals, including snakes and frogs.

After some much-needed rain in August, the frogs woke up from their winter slumber. They were out and about quite early in the season, and they’re now in full voice. Most of you will know this by now, and your sleeping patterns may have become affected by nature’s lovely chorus. I hope you appreciate having frogs in your garden, as they’re keeping your insect numbers in check (bad news for the mosquitoes).

With the frogs now being very active, so are the snakes. One snake in particular, which is more commonly seen than in the winter months, is the Rhombic Night Adder.

Night Adders are probably the most common species of venomous snake in the Highway area. Wherever there’s a dam, pond, river, stream or wetland, there are Night Adders. That doesn’t mean that there’s an infestation of them, they are fulfilling their role in the food chain.

What do they eat?

Toads. The big brown jobbies that inhabit your pool, croaking through the night. Night Adders love them. So in a way, these snakes help you sleep better, by controlling the music-makers. So if you have a water feature in the garden, with toads around, don’t be surprised if the Night Adder pops in for a take-away meal.

What do they look like? What’s the difference between a Night Adder and Puff Adder?

As many people tell me, when giving me a description of the snake in front of them over the phone, “brown snake with black diamonds on the body”. That’s a pretty good description.

Their bodies are usually a grey or light brown in colour, with dark patches going down the body. They also have quite a prominent dark V marking on the head. They don’t have a big, distinctive head, and it’s not very triangular in shape, as one may think of an adder’s head. It’s actually quite small and narrow. The adults are usually about 60cm to 70cm in length.

Puff Adders are a less common in the Highway area. They are seen frequently in farm or grassland areas. You’re highly unlikely to see one in Westville or Pinetown. Puff Adders are much more heavily-bodied, thicker, and have a distinctively large head, with chevron markings going down their back. They are usually a yellow and black colour.

Are Night Adders venomous?

Yes, they have a cytotoxic venom which is not considered to be lethal to humans. However, that does not mean that this snake should be taken lightly. The Night Adder, like all snakes, deserves respect, and one should admire their beauty from a safe distance of a few meters away.

A bite will cause swelling and pain, and it will not be a pleasant experience. Some people may react worse to the venom than others. If bitten, one should seek urgent medical attention. Do the same should your dog receive a bite and rush it to the vet. Dogs usually survive Night Adder bites. Anti-venom is not required or effective for this species.

Are they only active at night?

Not at all. Night Adder is not the most appropriate name for this species. I have caught many Night Adders over the years, and I spend a lot of time searching for snakes at night. But not once have I personally ever come across one at night. They are very active during the day and are fond of basking in the morning and afternoon sun. People also often encounter them with their mouths full of toad. That doesn’t mean to say that they aren’t active at night. They will be, especially if the toads are hopping around.

Not your average adder:

Night Adders are slightly different to the other adders. They fall into their own genus, Causus, rather than Bitis (such as Puff, Berg and Gaboon Adders).

Unlike the other adders, they lay eggs rather than give birth, and can lay more than 20 eggs in summer. Their scales are also not keeled, where each scale has a ridge in the middle, which gives them a rough texture like the other adders. Their scales are smooth. They also have one of the longest venom glands of any South African snake, in proportion to their body.

What do I do if I see one in my garden?

Treat it like any other snake, with respect and caution. If you get close to a Night Adder, it may hiss and puff, making you think that it’s a Puff Adder. They usually move off into the bush, and can move relatively quickly. If you’re worried about it, call a snake-catcher for advice or to remove it.

CONTACT Nick Evans (KZN Amphibian and Reptile Conservation) for snake removals on 072 809 5806, or for snake awareness/educational work, e-mail nickevanskzn@gmail.com or visit www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com.