‘Snake season’ is on its way

WITH temperatures starting to increase, and with the frogs out in full voice after recent rains, snake activity is set to start increasing in the Highway area. Here’s some information about them that you should know.

So what are they up to in Spring? The warmer temperatures means that they will have more energy to move around, as snakes rely on external sources of heat for their energy. Firstly, they will be searching for food, which depending on the species, is usually frogs, lizards or rodents. They may be looking to regain some body-weight which may have been lost over winter, or females may be trying to fatten up a bit, before the egg-laying season (they tend to eat less when gravid/pregnant).

Secondly, most snakes come together in spring to mate. Females leave a scent trail behind, which males will follow. More than one male may follow this scent trail, should they detect it with their forked tongue, which is used for smelling. Once a male has tracked down the female, they’ll mate and go their separate ways after a day or two. Just two-three months later, the female will find a hidden and secluded spot in which she can lay the eggs. This may be a hole in the ground, under a rock, a hollow log or compost heap – any decent form of shelter. She then leaves them, she doesn’t stay around them and protect them (the Southern African Python is an exception). The baby snakes will then start hatching in just over two months’ time, in summer. By then, there will be a lot of baby frogs and lizards around for them to feed on.

What do snake eggs look like? Snake eggs are always stuck together in a clump. They’re oval shaped, and leather-like. You won’t find them apart or scattered, like with gecko or agama (blue-headed lizard) eggs.

What can I do to keep the snakes away from my property? There is no sure-fire way which will guarantee that no snakes will visit your property, this is Africa after all, we have plenty of amazing snake species. There is nothing to spray or pour around your property which will keep snakes away.

There are however a few things in which you can do, to decrease the chances of snakes coming to your property. Keeping a neat and tidy garden is your best bet. Don’t leave piles of wood or rubble lying around. Keep hedges and shrubs well-trimmed away from your windows.

Snakes only come to your property for food or shelter. So if you don’t provide any of that, which can be hard not to (geckos are attracted to lights), you’ll minimize the chances of snake encounters. If you have a nice fountain or pond, you will get frogs, and you will then get snakes. Don’t necessary get rid of the pond though, it’s great to have wildlife outside in your garden. The frogs keep your mozzie and fly numbers down.

Should I be worried about snakes? No. You need to remember that all snakes are more scared of humans than we are of them. To them, we’re like terrifying, dangerous giants, towering above them. They want to avoid confrontation with us at all costs.

Of course, some snakes in the area do have a dangerous bite, but not all of them.

What should I do if I see a snake? The golden rule, should one encounter a snake, is leave them alone. Do not approach a snake, whether you want to kill it or capture it. You would be putting your life at risk. The snake will always move away if given the chance. Contact a local snake-catcher for identification, advice, or for the snake to be removed. It’s safer for you and the snake. If you want the snake removed by someone, it’s important that you keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance (five meters or so is good). If the snake disappears, without you having any idea of where it went, you or the snake-catcher are highly unlikely to see it again.

Finally, you don’t need to love snakes, but you don’t need to hate and kill them. You just need to have a healthy respect for them, acknowledge that they’re here to play their part in the food-chain, and leave them alone.

For snake removals/emergency rescues you can contact Nick Evans on 072 809 5806, or for snake awareness/educational work, e-mail nickevanskzn@gmail.com or visit www.kznamphibianreptileconservation.com.