‘Rinkhals’ snake on the loose warns reptile expert
The venom of the snake is both cytotoxic and neurotoxic and the snake also tends to spit rather than bite.
DURBAN North snake man, Jason Arnold, has warned residents of Phoenix, in the Clayfield area to be on the lookout for a suspected Rinkhals Snake (not native to Durban) that has ended up in the area accidentally.
“I presume the snake hitched a ride in a truck that had just done a trip to Gauteng recently. A snake (thought to be the same one) was spotted on the truck a couple days ago, but the residents failed to locate it.
“I received an alert from a resident last night at around 9pm stating that the snake had been seen at his friend’s place. The snake was seen laying upside down, seemingly dead (Rinkhals are known to feign death), but when a child threw a tennis ball at the snake, it reared up and got very defensive, spreading its hood and spraying venom at the approaching dogs before fleeing and getting to safety by going down into a nearby drain,” he said.
The snake is about 1.3 metres long (according to reports), a dirty matt black in colour with a shiny, pitch black underbelly, and white bands across the throat area.
“Residents to the area are encouraged to call me immediately if they spot this snake. Do not interfere or disturb the snake, and watch it from a safe distance until I arrive,” he said.
Contact Arnold on 082 745 6375.
