SUNDAY, July 16 is World Snake Day, a special day held every year to increase awareness of the slithery reptiles. Snakes are misunderstood animals and are feared around the world.
Many people have a phobia of snakes, which can be valid, as some species can have a harmful bite. However, Durban snake catcher Nick Evans advised that it is wise to try and understand these animals better by learning more about them, which will hopefully reduce your level of fear.
Also read: Bellair snake rescuer on the mend after black mamba bite
“Snakes are fascinating and ecologically important animals. As a snake rescuer, I’ve learnt a fair amount about these animals while rescuing them and working with people.”
According to Evans, the myths, factually incorrect movies and TV shows, and ‘tall stories’ all contribute to the fear and misunderstanding. Below are Evans’ tips and interesting facts which will hopefully help you understand these animals better, and thus perhaps be less afraid of them.
Why should we NOT kill snakes?
Evans said that in his line of work, he sees horrible acts being done to snakes.
“I see snakes that have been beaten, chopped up, sprayed with poison, set alight using petrol, burned with boiling water, etc. If someone did that to us, we’d be in immense pain. A snake, a living animal, will feel pain, too. I see it in them when I rescue injured specimens. Basically, it’s not a very nice thing to do,” he said.
Evans highlighted that snakes do not want to bite people.
Also read: Queensburgh snake rescuers raise alarm over dumped ball pythons
“They know we’re dangerous. Inflicting pain upon a snake, though, changes this. Such actions put you at high risk of being bitten, as the snake is left with no choice but to defend itself. For example, the most dangerous Black Mambas I have captured have been injured ones. One had been sprayed with ‘bug spray’, the other had been stabbed with a steel rod. I know of a number of people who have been bitten by mambas or spat at by cobras while attempting to kill them.
“Snakes are also a key link in the food chain, helping to maintain a healthy environment. They control rodent, lizard, frog and other animal numbers, while also being a source of food for animals, such as monitor lizards, mongoose, genets and a whole variety of birds,” said Evans.
What is the most dangerous snake in KZN?
Evans said he does not like to call snakes dangerous, but this is a question that many people ask. In his opinion, snakes are generally dangerous if people make them so – if they try catching or killing them. Their bites, though, can be dangerous, of course.
“Black Mambas are generally considered the most dangerous and feared snake around, but their reputation is grossly over-exaggerated, and they’re responsible for remarkably few bites. So far, this year, in the Greater Durban area and surrounds, I’ve recorded only four Black Mamba bites, but two were on removers.”
He said Boomslang have the most potent venom of any South African snake, although bites are exceptionally rare, and their haemotoxic venom is very slow-acting, compared to the neurotoxic venom of mambas.
The snakes that bite the most people in the province, annually, are Stiletto snakes, Mozambique Spitting Cobras, Rhombic Night Adders and Puff Adders.
“Many people, perhaps the majority, refer to snakes as poisonous. I suppose it doesn’t really matter, just as long as you keep away from them. The correct term for snakes, though, is venomous. Venom is a different substance to poison, and it is injected. It is also not usually harmful on your skin. Poison is secreted, like from a plant, and can cause irritation on the skin.”
Unfortunately, Evans said there is no way to tell venomous and non-venomous snakes apart.
“You just has to study an educational resource (book, reputable website) and learn each of the more common species, as there are no visual differences per venom class.
Do snakes move in pairs?
Evans said snakes come together at certain times of the year to mate, but they don’t stay together for very long at all and soon go their separate ways.
“So no, they do not move together, nor do they hunt in packs. This also dispels the myth that if you kill a snake, its partner will hunt you down for revenge. There is no partner, nor do snakes care about revenge. This does not mean it is a good idea to kill snakes.
“Also the mother does not look after her babies; they lay their eggs and leave them. The father is long gone before the eggs are laid. So when the juveniles hatch, they have to fend for themselves. They do not stick together for safety in numbers,” explained Evans.
According to the snake catcher, South Africa’s smallest snake species is the Thread or Worm Snake – there are a few species – a tiny, shiny black snake that wriggles around on the ground.
Also read: Don’t pick up snakes, urges Highway’s Nick Evans
“They spend most of their time underground, feeding on ant and termite larvae. These snakes are frequently seen in the rainy season.”
In Durban, and many parts of KZN that don’t experience frosty winters, Evans said snakes can still be seen, particularly on warm winter days but are a lot less active, though, particularly those which feed on frogs and lizards, as there are fewer of those in winter.
He said some species, such as mambas and pythons, come together to mate in the winter months. Puff Adders also mate in early winter, whereas many snake species mate in spring.
“From my perspective, this has been my quietest winter since I started operating in 2015. Even the mating mambas have been very quiet.”
Mythology
There are three types of snakes prevalent in isiZulu culture: The Inkanyamba (or invisible snake) is called the mother of destruction and is believed to cause strong winds and destructive rain. The uMajola is a snake that only makes itself visible to a newborn child or a woman who is pregnant, without causing any harm. This is a sign that the newborn child is accepted into the family. Many Zulu and Sotho people believe that the Rinkhals/Mosenene snake brings good luck.
What should I do if I see a snake?
– Move away from it. Five to ten meters is a safe distance, although most people prefer a longer distance than that!
– Keep pets and people away from it.
– Phone a snake catcher immediately – not the next day, week or month.
– Watch the snake, from a distance, until the snake catcher arrives. Snakes disappear quickly and are hard to relocate.
– In the event of a bite, transport the patient to hospital – do not try home remedies.
He added that he is working on several research projects, most of which are in the Greater Durban Area, and people can contribute by:
– Reporting sightings of Black Mambas, alive or dead, or calling for them to be relocated, contributing towards various projects.
– Reporting snakebites on dogs in the Greater Durban Area.
– Reporting snakebites on people in KZN. I try to maintain databases on both, to help us understand the issue more and keep tabs on it – no personal patient details required.
– Sharing a photo, with details, of snakes fighting or mating for a study on Durban’s snake reproductive behaviour.
– Reporting sightings of Nile/Water Monitor Lizards, uXamu (isiZulu) and Likkewaan (Afrikaans) by sending us a photo with a date taken, as well as location, or for calling them to be removed and relocated. It is required for a study on this species with Euan Genevier of UKZN PMB.
Information can be sent to Nick Evans on 072 809 5806 or nickevanskzn@gmail.com.
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