Do not pick up snakes, warns Nick Evans
Stiletto snakes are active again and a bite could mean losing half a finger.
WITH the recent rains, followed by hot and humid weather, Highway’s local snake expert, Nick Evans, has warned residents not to pick up stiletto snakes, which are now fully active.
“Around this time every year, I send out warnings to prevent bites,” said Evans.
In the past seven days, he was alerted to three stiletto snake bites alone.
“Stiletto snakes do not attack people. They are not creatures you need to live in fear of. But please, do not pick up snakes that you see around the garden, or anywhere,” he urged.
Evans noted that the problem is that people first identify the venomous snake as a harmless species.
“Therefore they pick it up and soon realise what a bad mistake that was,” he said.
The venom is cytotoxic and causes pain, swelling and tissue damage.
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“It is not uncommon for people to lose the tips of fingers and some people lose half a finger,” he said.
How to identify a stiletto snake:
-The Natal black snakes, wolf snakes, blind snakes and young brown house snakes are confused for stiletto snakes.
-In Durban, stiletto snakes are a brownish/black colour, with a lighter brown-coloured belly. In other parts of the country, they are white underneath.
-They have round heads and small eyes with a tail that ends in a barb. For Evans, the easiest way to identify them is through their behaviour.
“If threatened, they jerk around, with a sudden burst of movement and then they flee. Another thing to look out for, is they’ll often arch their neck up, with their snout down against the ground. This is their striking position,” said Evans.
If you see a snake that resembles a stiletto snake, WhatsApp Evans a photo or contact him on 072 809 5806.
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