Arnold warns of dangerous stiletto snake
The stiletto snake, also known as the Burrowing Asp is the snake rumoured to have killed Cleopatra, who ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent.
WITH snake season in full swing, Sunningdale’s Jason Arnold has warned residents of the stiletto snake. This comes after a man was bitten in New Hanover by the snake and had to undergo surgery to remove dead tissue from his hand. The victim had mistaken the snake for a harmless mole snake.
The stiletto snake, also known as the Burrowing Asp is the snake rumoured to have killed Cleopatra, who ruled ancient Egypt as co-regent.
“The stiletto snake is a small species of snake which averages around 30 to 40cm in length, seldom exceeding 70cm. It’s a species of snake that is fairly widespread and no matter where in Durban you may be living, you could find this snake in your home or garden. Due to this snakes’ small size and general inoffensive look, many people are fooled into picking it up and handling it. These snakes are quite edgy and will usually not hesitate to put a fang into you if you pick them up.”
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Arnold said the snake has a really unique way of hunting, due to its unique fangs which lay horizontally, pointing backwards.
“The backwards facing fangs make it impossible to handle this snake safely, as you cannot grip it behind the head as usual. The snake can just twist it’s head sideways and pierce your finger with its painful venom. The bite causes terrible pain, swelling and necrosis around the bite site,” he said.
Arnold added that antivenin was not applicable to these type of snake bites.
The stiletto mainly feeds on small lizards, other snakes and occasionally young rodents. Most of these taken underground in burrows.
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