It’s snake season so lookout for the hissing creatures
Snakes such as the puff adder and rinkhals are extremely dangerous.
We are well into the spring season and the weather is nice and warm. This also means that snakes will now be active after a long period of hibernation, hungry and in search of food.
The City of Ekurhuleni cautions pet owners to be on high alert and keep an eye on their domestic pets as they may fall prey to snakes.
From mid-August until late May, a number of snakes, which are harmless to humans, such as the brown house snake, Aurora house snake, olive house snake and red-lipped snake are likely to be found in backyard gardens searching for food like rats and cats.
Due to their harmless and less defensive nature, these species tend to be easily killed or captured as pets, an illegal and punishable act if one does not have a legal permit.
Meanwhile, snakes such as the puff adder and rinkhals are extremely dangerous, with the puff adder known to be very instinctive, slow in pace and quick to sense danger. The rinkhals or ring-necked cobra is a fast moving multi feeder, which is good at faking death. It is easily identified by the two white stripes that are visible across its neck when it spreads its hood.
In case of encountering a snake, residents can call the City’s snake catchers Makhosonke Mabena on 071 833 6549 or Sonny Katisa on 073 988 8131who are working in the areas of Alberton, Thokoza and Vosloorus.
