MORE than 300 people were severely affected by the heavy floods that battered Durban over the weekend, and so far two children are reported to have lost their lives. According to the South African Police Services, four adults were washed away in a Shallcross River. Two bodies have been found and two are still missing.
Now snake experts are warning residents to be careful of snakes, who they say usually emerge after heavy rains. Martin Rodrigues, manager of Crocworld Conservation Centre, said: “These fossorial species are forced to leave their subterranean homes when the ground becomes saturated and as the oxygen levels diminish. Most of these snakes are harmless to humans, however, there are a few exceptions to watch out for.
“This includes the southern stiletto snake. Although their bite is not deadly, they have a potent cytotoxic venom so the bite is very painful and causes moderate to severe swelling in most cases, and may lead to the loss of a limb or digit as the venom breaks down the tissue cells surrounding the bite.”
He said the snake, which averages 30 to 40 centimetres in length, is mainly active in the evening.
“It can be identified by its purple-brown to black colouring with a creamy white, dark brown or black underbelly. It has a unique appearance with a characteristically small head and small, inconspicuous-looking eyes. The tail ends abruptly and has a sharp asp, which is a modified scale at the tip of the tail.”
